THE  MORAVIANS   IN   GEORGIA. 


JUST   COTTUKI!   Sl'ANCKM'.KltC. 


THE 
MORAVIANS 

IN 
GEORGIA 

1735-1740 


ADELAIDE    L.    FRIES 

WINSTON -SALEM 
N.   C. 


PRINTED     FOR     THE     AUTHOR      BY 

EDWARDS   i    BROUGHTON,    PRINTERS   AND    BINDEF 

RALEIC  H  .     N  .    C 


Copyright,   1005, 

By 

ADELAIDE  L.   FRIES. 


PREFACE. 


In  the  life  of  any  individual,  association,  or  na- 
tion, there  will  probably  be  one  or  more  occurrences 
which  may  be  considered  as  success  or  failure  ac- 
cording to  the  dramatic  features  of  the  event  and 
the  ultimate  results.     Of  this  the  Battle  of  Bunker 
Hill   is   a   striking   example.      On   the   morning  of 
^  June  1 7th,  1775,  a  force  of  British  soldiers  attacked 
a  small  body  of  raw,  ill-equipped  American  volun- 
^.   teers,    who   had    fortified   a   hill   near    Boston,    and 
•§5   quickly  drove  them  from  their  position.     By  whom 
""*  then  was  the  Bunker  Hill  Monument  erected  ?     By 
the  victors  in  that  first  engagement  of  the  Revolu- 
tion?    No,  but  by  proud   descendants  of  the  van- 
w    quished.  whose  broader  view  showed  them  the  in- 
z  calculable  benefits  arising  from  that  seeming  defeat, 
which  precipitated  the  great  struggle,  forcing  every 
>    man  in  the  Colonies  to  take  a  position  squarely  for 
'    or  against  the  American  Cause,  convinced  the  timid 
">    that  only  proper  equipment  would  be  needed  to  en- 
.  j    able  the  American  army  to  hold  its  own  against  the 
foe,  and  taught  the  British  that  they  were  dealing, 
not  with  hot-headed  rebels  who  would  run  at  first 
*••    sight  of  the  dreaded  "red  coats."  but  with  patriots 
who  would  stand  their  ground  so  long  as  a  charge 
of  powder  remained,  or  gunstocks  could  be  handled 
as  clubs. 


0  PRKJ'ACK. 

Very  much  the  same  line  of  argument  may  be  ap- 
plied to  the  first  attempt  of  the  Moravian  Church  to 
establish  a  settlement  on  the  American  Continent. 
The  story  is  usually  passed  over  by  historians  in  a 
few  short  paragraphs,  and  yet  without  the  colony 
in  Georgia,  the  whole  history  of  the  Renewed 
Church  of  the  Unitas  Fratrum  would  have  been  very 
different.  Without  that  roovemjent  the  Moravian 
Church  might  never  have  been  established  in  Eng- 
land, without  it  the  great  Methodist  denomination 
might  never  have  come  into  being,  without  it  the 
American  Moravian  provinces,  North  or  South, 
might  not  have  been  planned.  Of  course  Provi- 
dence might  have  provided  other  means  for  the 
accomplishment  of  these  ends,  but  certain  it  is  that 
in  the  actual  development  of  all  these  things  the 
"unsuccessful  attempt"  in  Georgia,  1735  to  1740, 
played  a  most  important  part. 

In  preparing  this  history  a  number  of  private 
libraries,  the  collections  of  the  Georgia  Historical 
Society,  the  Congressional  Library,  the  British  Mu- 
seum, were  searched  for  data,  but  so  little  was  found 
that  the  story,  in  so  far  as  it  relates  to  the  Moravian 
settlement,  has  been  drawn  entirely  from  the  origi- 
nal manuscripts  in  the  Archives  of  the  Unitas  Fra- 
trum at  Hcrrnhut,  Germany,  with  some  additions 
from  the  Archives  at  Bethlehem,  Pa.,  and  Salem, 
N.  C.  For  the  general  history  of  Georgia,  of  the 
Moravian  Church,  and  of  the  YVesleys,  Steven's 
History  of  Georgia,  Hamilton's  History  of  the 
Moravian  Church,  Levcring's  History  of  Bethle- 
hem, Pa.,  Some  Fathers  of  the  American  Moravian 


PREFACE.  7 

Church,  by  de  Schweinitz,  Strobel's  History  of  the 
Salzburgers,  Tyreman's  Oxford  Methodists,  and 
Wesley's  Journal  have  been  most  largely  used. 

The  history  of  the  Moravian  settlement  in  Geor- 
gia falls  into  that  period  when  dates  are  much  con- 
fused through  the  contemporaneous  use  of  the  old 
style,  or  Julian  calendar,  and  the  new  style,  or  Gre- 
gorian calendar.  As  the  latter  is  now  current  every- 
where, except  in  Russia  and  the  Orient,  it  is  here 
employed  throughout,  old  style  dates  being  trans- 
lated where  they  occur  in  the  records. 

Special  thanks  are  due  to  Rev.  A.  Glitsch,  Arch- 
ivist at  Herrnhut,  for  courtesies  extended  while  the 
author  was  examining  the  invaluable  collection  of 
papers  entrusted  to  his  care,  and  also  for  his  super- 
vision of  the  copying  of  such  documents  as  were 
selected ;  to  Mr.  Isaac  Beckett,  of  Savannah,  for  in- 
formation respecting  the  Moravian  lands;  to  Mr. 
John  Jordan,  of  Philadelphia,  for  copies  of  deeds 
and  other  papers  relating  to  the  settlerr-ent ;  to  Mr. 
W.  S.  Pfohl,  of  Salem,  for  assistance  with  the  illus- 
trations ;  and  to  Mr.  John  W.  Fries  for  suggestion 
and  inspiration  for  the  work,  and  the  constant  en- 
couragement and  sympathetic  interest  without 
which  the  author's  courage  would  have  failed  dur- 
ing the  tedious  years  of  gathering  material  for  the 
book,  which  is  now  presented  to  those  who  may  find 
in  it  something  of  explanation,  something  of  inter- 
est, concerning  the  Moravian  settlement  in  Geor- 
gia, and  the  broader  history  which  the  story  touches 
on  every  side. 

ADELAIDE  L.  FRIES. 

AUGUST,  1904. 


TABLE  OF  CONTENTS. 


CHAPTER  I.     ANTECEDENT  EVENTS. 

The  Province  of  Georgia 13 

The  Salzburgers 18 

Unitas  Fratuni  21 

Halle  Opposition 25 

CHAPTER  II.     NEGOTIATIONS  WITH  THE  TRUSTEES 
OF  GEORGIA. 

The  Schwenkfelders  28 

Preliminary  Steps 36 

The  "First  Coin  pan}-"  47 

CHAPTER  III.     THE  FIRST  YEAR  IN  GEORGIA. 

The  Voyage 57 

Making  a  Start 65 

Aim  and  Attainment 70 

CHAPTER  IV.     REINFORCEMENTS. 

The  "Second  Company" 89 

Four  Journals 98 

Organization 122 

CHAPTER  V.     THE  SECOND  YEAR  IN  GEORGIA. 

The  English  Clergymen 143, 

Work  Among    the  Indians 147 

The  "Society" 155 

Rumors  of  War...                                                      .  161 


io  TABLE  OF  CONTENTS. 

CHAPTER  VI.     DISINTEGRATION. 

Span genberg's  Visit 169 

A  Closing  Door 181 

Wesley,  Ingram  and  Toltschig 190 

The  Negro  Mission  201 

CHAPTER  VII.     CONCLUSION. 

Later  Attempts  in  Georgia 221 

The  Savannah  Lands 229 

Arrivals,  Departures,  Deaths 236 

Summary 242 


ILLUSTRATIONS. 


August  Gottlieb  Spangenberg Frontispiece 

View  of  Savannah opposite  page  18 

Nicholas  Lewis,  Count  Zinzendorf. ...  "  "  22 

Ecce  Homo "  "  26 

Gen.  James  Oglethorpe "  50 

Plan  of  Savannah  , "  "  67 

Province  of  Georgia "  "  75 

Gen.  James  Oglethorpe ''  "  in 

David  Nitschmann,  Episc "  "  132 

Tomochichi. "  "  148 

Count  Zinzendorf,  portrait  bust "  "  160 

Peter  Bohler "  "  190 

Zeisberger  Preaching  to  the  Indians..  "  "  218 

Savannah  and  Environs "  229 

James  Habersham "  "  231 


THE  MORAVIANS  IN  GEORGIA, 

1735-1740. 


CHAPTER    i. 

ANTECEDENT  EVENTS. 

THE  PROVINCE  OF  GEORGIA. 

It  was  in  the  year  1728  that  the  English  Parlia- 
ment was  persuaded  by  James  Oglcthorpe,  Esq. — 
soldier,  statesman  and  philanthropist, — to  appoint  a 
committee  to  investigate  the  condition  of  the  debtors 
confined  in  the  Fleet  and  Marchalsea  prisons.  The 
lot  of  these  debtors  was  a  most  pitiable  one,  for  a 
creditor  had  power  to  imprison  a  man  for  an  indefi- 
nite term  of  years,  and  the  unfortunate  debtor,  held 
within  the  four  walls  of  his  prison,  could  earn  no 
money  to  pay  the  debt  that  was  owing,  and  unless 
friends  came  to  his  rescue,  was  utterly  at  the  mercy 
of  the  oft-times  barbarous  jailor.  The  Committee, 
consisting  of  ninety-six  prominent  men.  with  Ogle- 
tliorpe  as  Chairman,  recommended  and  secured  the 
redress  of  many  grievances,  and  the  passing  of  bet- 
ter laws  for  the  future,  but  Oglcthorpe  and  a  few 
associates  conceived  a  plan  which  they  thought 
would  eradicate  the  evil  by  striking  at  its  very  root, 
the  difficulty  which  many  found  in  earning  a  living 
in  the  overcrowded  cities. 

In    1663   King  Charles   II.   ha  1  granted  to  eight 


14  Tin-;   MORAVIANS  IN   GEORGIA. 

"Lords  Proprietors"  the  portion  of  North  America 
lying  between  the  3ist  and  36th  degrees  of  latitude, 
enlarging  the  boundaries  in  1665  to  29°  and  36°  30'. 
By  1728  most  of  these  Lords  Proprietors  had  tired 
of  their  attempt  to  govern  the  colonies  they  had 
established  in  "Carolina,"  and  in  1/29  seven  of  the 
eight  sold  their  interest  to  the  English  crown,  the 
district  being  divided  into  "North  Carolina,"  "South 
Carolina."  and  a  more  southerly  portion,  nominally 
included  in  the  latter,  which  was  held  in  reserve. 

To  this  unused  land  the  thoughts  of  Oglethorpe 
turned,  and  he  and  his  friends  addressed  a  memo- 
rival  to  the  Privy  Council,  stating  "that  the  cities  of 
London,  Westminster,  and  parts  adjacent,  do 
abound  with  great  numbers  of  indigent  persons, 
who  arc  reduced  to  such  necessity  as  to  become 
burthensome  to  the  public,  and  who  would  be  will- 
ing to  seek  a  livelihood  in  any  of  his  majesty's  plan- 
tations in  America,  if  they  were  provided  with  a 
passage,  and  means  of  settling  there."  Tliev  there- 
fore asked  for  a  grant  of  land  Iving  south  of  the 
Savannah  River,  where  they  wished  to  establish  a 
colony  in  which  these  unfortunate  men  might  begin 
life  anew,  and  where  Protestants,  persecuted  in 
some  parts  of  Kuropc,  might  find  a  refuge.  They 
also  offered  to  take  entire  charge  of  the  affair,  and 
their  petition,  after  passing  through  the  usual  chan- 
nels, was  approved  bv  the  King,  (Jeorge  TI.  a  char- 
ter was  prepared,  and  the  great  seal  was  affixed 
June  91)1,  1/32. 

This  instrument  constituted  twenty-one  noble- 
men and  gentlembn  a  bodv  corporate,  by  the  name 


EVKNTS.  15 

and  stylo  of  "The  Trustees  for  establishing  the  Col- 
ony of  Georgia  in  America,"  and  in  them  was  vested 
full  authority  for  the  collecting  of  subscriptions  and 
the  expending  of  moneys  gathered,  the  selection  of 
colonists,  and  the  making  and  administering  of 
laws  in  Georgia;  but  no  member  of  the  corporation 
was  allowed  to  receive  a  salary,  or  any  fees,  or  to 
hold  land  in  the  new  province.  The  undertaking 
was  to  be  strictly  for  the  good  of  others,  not  for 
their  own  pecuniary  benefit.  The  charter  granted 
to  them  "all  those  lands,  countries,  and  territories 
situate,  lying  and  being  in  that  part  of  South  Caro- 
lina, in  America"  between  the  Savannah  and  Alta- 
maha,  gave  them  permission  to  take  over  any  Brit- 
ish subjects,  or  foreigners  willing  to  become  such, 
and  guaranteed  to  each  settler  the  rights  of  an  Eng- 
lish subject,  and  full  liberty  of  conscience, — Papists 
alone  excepted.  This  apparently  pointed  exception 
was  natural  enough,  since  from  a  political  stand- 
point the  new  colony  was  regarded  as  a  valuable 
guard  for  the  Protestant  English  Colonies  on  the 
north,  against  the  Indians  and  Roman  Catholic 
colonists  to  the  south,  who  had  been  keeping  the 
border  settlers  in  a  continual  state  of  uneasiness, 
even  in  times  of  nominal  peace.  Moreover  England 
had  not  forgotten  the  terrible  experience  of  the 
latter  half  of  the  preceding  century,  when  it  was 
war  to  the  death  between  Catholic  and  Protestant, 
and  the  latter  party  being  the  stronger  the  former 
was  subjected  to  great  and  unpardonable  persecu- 
tion, many  were  executed,  and  all  holding  that  faith 
were  laid  under  political  disabilities  which  lasted 
for  a  hundred  and  fifty  years. 


16  THE  MORAVIANS  IN   GEORGIA. 

The  plans  of  the  Trustees  were  very  broad.  The}1 
intended  "to  relieve  such  unfortunate  persons  as 
cannot  subsist  here,  and  establish  them  in  an  urderh 
manner,  so  as  to  form  a  well  regulated  town.  As 
far  as  their  fund  goes  they  will  defray  the  charge 
of  their  passage  to  Georgia — give  them  necessaries, 
cattle,  land,  and  subsistence,  till  such  time  as  the\ 
can  build  their  houses  and  clear  some  of  their  land." 
In  this  manner  "many  families  who  would  otherwise 
starve  will  be  provided  for,  and  made  masters  of 
houses  and  lands ;  *  :;;  *  and  by  giving  refuge  to 
the  distressed  Salzburgers  and  other  Protestants, 
the  power  of  Britain,  as  a  reward  for  its  hospitaliu , 
will  be  increased  by  the  addition  of  so  many  relig- 
ious and  industrious  subjects." 

Each  of  the  emigrants  was  to  receive  about  fifty 
acres  of  land,  including  a  town  lot,  a  garden  of  five 
acres,  and  a  forty-five  acre  farm,  and  the  Trustees 
offered  to  give  a  tract  of  five  hundred  acres  to  any 
well-to-do  man  who  would  go  over  at  his  own  ex- 
pense, taking  with  him  at  least  ten  servants,  and 
promising  his  military  service  in  case  of  need. 

But  there  was  a  commercial  as  well  as  a  benevo- 
lent side  to  the  designs  of  the  Trustees,  for  they 
thought  Georgia  could  be  made  to  furnish  silk,  wine, 
oil  and  drugs  in  large  quantities,  the  importing  of 
which  would  keep  thousands  of  pounds  sterling  in 
English  hands  which  had  hitherto  gone  to  China, 
Persia  and  the  Madeiras.  Special  provision  was 
therefore  made  to  secure  the  planting  of  mulberry 
trees  as  the  first  step  towards  silk  culture,  the  other 
branches  to  be  introduced  as  speedily  as  might  be. 


ANTECEDENT  EVENTS.  17 

Filled  with  enthusiasm  for  their  plan,  the  Trust- 
ees proceeded  to  spread  abroad  the  most  glowing 
descriptions  of  the  country  where  the  new  colony 
was  to  be  settled. 

"The  kind  spring,  which  but  salutes  us  here, 

Inhabits  there,  and  courts  them  all  the  year. 
Ripe  fruits  and  blossoms  on  the  same  trees  live — 

At  once  they  promise,  when  at  once  they  give. 
So  sweet  the  air,  so  moderate  the  clime, 

None  sickly  lives,  or  dies  before  his  time. 
Heaven,  sure,  has  kept  this  spot  of  earth  uncurst, 

To  shew  how  all  things  \vere  created  first." 

So  wrote  ( )glethorpe,  quoting  the  lines  as  the  best 
pen  picture  he  could  give  of  the  new  land,  and  truly, 
if  the  colonists  found  the  reality  less  roseate  than 
they  anticipated,  it  was  not  the  fault  of  their  gener- 
ous, energetic  leader,  who  spared  neither  pains  nor 
means  in  his  effort  to  make  all  things  work  out  as 
his  imagination  had  painted  them. 

The  Trustees  having,  with  great  care,  selected 
thirty-five  families  from  the  number  who  wished  to 
go,  the  first  emigrant  ship  sailed  for  Georgia  in 
November,  1732,  bearing  about  one  hundred  and 
twenty-five  "sober,  industrious  and  moral  persons," 
and  all  needful  stores  for  the  establishment  of  the 
colony.  Harly  in  the  following  year  they  reached 
America,  and  Oglethorpe,  having  chosen  a  high 
bluff  on  the  southern  bank  of  the  Savannah  River, 
concluded  a  satisfactory  treaty  with  Tomochichi,  the 
chief  of  the  nearest  Indian  tribe,  which  was  later 
ratified  in  a  full  Council  of  the  chiefs  of  all  the 


i8  THE  MORAVIANS  IN  GEORGIA. 

Lower  Creeks.  His  fairness  and  courteous  treat- 
ment won  the  hearts  of  all,  especially  of  Tomochichi 
and  his  people,  who  for  many  years  remained  on  the 
best  of  terms  with  the  town  which  was  now  laid  out 
upon  the  bluff. 

THE    SAI^HURGERS. 

The  Salzburgers,  referred  to  by  name  in  the  pro- 
posals of  the  Georgia  Trustees,  were,  at  this  time, 
very  much  upon  the  mind  and  heart  of  Protestant 
Europe.  They  were  Germans,  belonging  to  the 
Archbishopric  of  Salzburg,  then  the  most  eastern 
district  of  Bavaria,  but  now  a  province  of  Austria. 
"Their  ancestors,  the  Vallenges  of  Piedmont,  had 
been  compelled  by  the  barbarities  of  the  Dukes  of 
Savoy  to  mid  a  shelter  from  the  storms  of  persecu- 
tion in  the  Alpine  passes  and  vales  of  Salzburg  and 
the  Tyrol,  before  the  Reformation ;  and  frequently 
since,  they  had  been  hunted  out  by  the  hirelings  and 
soldiery  of  the  Church  of  Rome,  and  condemned  for 
their  faith  to  tortures  of  the  most  cruel  and  revolt- 
ing kind.  In  1684-6,  they  were  again  threatened 
with  an  exterminating  persecution  :  but  were  saved 
in  part  by  the  intervention  of  the  Protestant  States 
of  Saxony  and  Brandenburg,  though  more  than  a 
thousand  emigrated  on  account  of  the  dangers  to 
which  they  were  exposed. 

"But  the  quietness  which  they  then  enjoyed  for 
nearly  half  a  century  was  rudely  broken  in  upon  by 
Leopold,  Count  of  Firmian  and  Archbishop  of  Salz- 
burg, who  determined  to  reduce  them  to  the  Papal 
faith  and  power.  lie  began  in  the  year  1729,  and 
ere  he  ended  in  1732  not  far  from  thirty  thousand 


ANTECEDENT  EVENTS.  19 

had  been  driven  from  their  homes,  to  seek  among 
the  Protestant  States  of  Europe  that  charity  and 
peace  which  were  denied  them  in  the  glens  and  fast- 
nesses of  their  native  Alps. 

"The  march  of  these  Salzburgers  constitutes  an 
epoch  in  the  history  of  Germany.  :!  'f  Arriving 
at  Augsburg,  the  magistrates  closed  the  gates 
against  them,  refusing  them  entrance  to  that  city 
which,  two  hundred  years  before,  through  Luther 
and  Melancthon  and  in  the  presence  of  Charles  V 
and  the  assembled  Princes  of  Germany,  had  given 
birth  to  the  celebrated  Augsburg  Confession,  for 
clinging  to  which  the  Salzburgers  were  now  driven 
from  their  homes  ;  but  overawed  by  the  Protestants, 
the  officers  reluctantly  admitted  the  emigrants,  who 
were  kindly  entertained  by  the  Lutherans. 

"The  sympathies  of  Reformed  Christendom  were 
awakened  on  their  behalf,  and  the  most  hospitable 
entertainment  and  assistance  were  everywhere  given 
them."  Only  a  few  months  after  the  signing  of  the 
Georgia  Colony  Charter,  the  "Society  for  the  Prop- 
agation of  Christian  Knowledge''  requested  the 
Trustees  to  include  the  Salzburgers  in  their  plans. 
The  Trustees  expressed  their  willingness  to  grant 
lands,  and  to  manage  any  money  given  toward  their 
expenses,  but  stated  that  they  then  held  no  funds 
which  were  available  for  that  purpose. 

In  May,  1733,  the  House  of  Commons  appropri- 
ated £ r  0,000  to  the  Trustees  of  Georgia,  "to  be  ap- 
plied towards  defraying  the  charges  of  carrying 
over  and  settling  foreign  and  other  Protestants  in 
said  colony,'1  and  over  £3.000  additional  having 
been  given  privately,  the  Trustees,  at  the  suggestion 


2O  THE  MORAVIANS  IN   GEORGIA. 

of  Jlerr  von  Pfcil.  consul  of  Wittenberg  at  Rcgens- 
berg,  wrote  to  Senior  Samuel  Urlsperger,  pastor  of 
the  Lutheran  Church  of  St.  Ann  in  the  city  of  Augs- 
burg, who  had  been  very  kind  to  the  Salzburgcrs 
on  their  arrival  there,  "and  ever  afterward  watched 
over  their  welfare  with  the  solicitude  of  an  affec- 
tionate father."  On  receipt  of  the  invitation  from 
the  Trustees,  seventy-eight  persons  decided  to  go 
to  Georgia,  and  left  Augsburg  on  the  2 1st  of  Octo- 
ber, reaching  Rotterdam  the  2jth  of  November, 
where  they  were  joined  by  two  ministers,  Rev.  Mr. 
Bolzius,  deputy  superintendent  of  the  Latin  Orphan 
School  at  Halle,  and  Rev.  Mr.  Gronau,  a  tutor  in 
the  same,  who  were  to  accompany  them  to  their  new 
home.  In  England  they  were  treated  with  marked 
kindness,  and  when  they  sailed,  January  19,  1734, 
it  was  with  the  promise  of  free  transportation  to 
Georgia,  and  support  there  until  they  could  reap 
their  first  harvest  from  the  fifty  acres  which  were  to 
be  given  to  each  man  among  them. 

They  reached  Charlestown,  South  Carolina,  the 
following  March,  and  met  General  Oglethorpe,  the 
Governor  of  Georgia,  who  was  intending  an  imme- 
diate return  to  Europe,  but  went  back  to  help  them 
select  a  suitable  place  for  their  settlement,  they  pre- 
ferring not  to  live  in  Savannah  itself.  The  site 
chosen  was  about  twenty-five  miles  from  Savannah, 
on  a  large  stream  flowing  into  the  Savannah  River, 
and  there  they  laid  out  their  town,  calling  it  "Ebe- 
nezer,"  in  grateful  remembrance  of  the  Divine  help 
that  had  brought  them  thither.  Haron  von  Reck, 
who  had  accompanied  them  as  Commissary  of  the 
Trustees,  staved  with  them  until  thev  had  made  a 


ANTECEDENT  EVENTS.  21 

good  beginning,  and  then  returned  to  Europe,  leav- 
ing Ebenezer  about  the  middle  of  May. 

UNITAS    FRATRUM. 

But  while  the  Salzburgers  received  so  much  sym- 
pathy and  kindness  in  Germany  on  account  of  their 
distress,  other  exiled  Protestants,  whose  story  was 
no  less  touching,  were  being  treated  with  scant 
courtesy  and  consideration. 

On  the  6th  of  July,  1415,  the  Bohemian  Reform- 
er, John  Hits,  was  burned  at  the  stake.  But  those 
who  had  silenced  him  could  not  unsay  his  message, 
and  at  last  there  drew  together  a  little  body  of  earn- 
est men,  who  agreed  to  accept  the  Bible  as  their 
only  standard  of  faith  and  practice,  and  established 
a  strict  discipline  which  should  keep  their  lives  in 
the  simplicity,  purity,  and  brotherly  love  of  the 
early  Apostolic  Church.  This  was  in  1457,  an^  tne 
movement  quickly  interested  the  thoughtful  people 
in  all  classes  of  society,  many  of  whom  joined  their 
ranks.  The  formal  organization  of  the  Unitas  Fra- 
tritm  (the  Unity  of  Brethren)  followed,  and  its 
preaching,  theological  publications,  and  educational 
work  soon  raised  it  to  great  influence  in  Bohemia, 
Moravia  and  Poland,  friendly  intercourse  being  es- 
tablished with  Luther,  Calvin,  and  other  Reformers 
as  they  became  prominent. 

Then  came  destruction,  when  the  religious  liberty 
of  Bohemia  and  Moravia  was  extinguished  in  blood, 
by  the  Church  of  Rome.  The  great  Comenius  went 
forth,  a  wanderer  on  the  face  of  the  earth,  welcomed 
and  honored  in  courts  and  universities,  introducing 


22  TiiJi  MORAVIANS   IN   GICORGIA. 

new  educational  principles  that  revolutionized  meth- 
ods of  teaching,  but  ever  longing  and  praying  for  the 
restoration  of  his  Church  ;  and  by  his  publication  of 
its  Doctrine  and  Rules  of  Discipline,  and  by  his 
careful  transmission  of  the  Episcopate  which  had 
been  bestowed  upon  him  and  his  associate  Bishops, 
he  did  contribute  largely  to  that  renewal  which  he 
was  not  destined  to  see. 

In  the  home  lands  there  were  many  who  held 
secretly,  tenaciously,  desperately,  to  the  doctrines 
they  loved,  "in  hope  against  hope"  that  the  great 
oppression  would  be  lifted.  But  the  passing  of  a 
hundred  years  brought  no  relief,  concessions  grant- 
ed to  others  were  still  denied  to  the  children  of  those 
who  had  been  the  first  "protestants"  against  relig- 
ious slavery  and  corruption,  and  in  1722  a  small  com- 
pany of  descendants  of  the  ancient  Unitas  Fratrum 
slipped  over  the  borders  of  Moravia,  and  went  to 
Saxony,  Nicholas  Lewis,  Count  Zinzendorf,  having 
given  them  permission  to  sojourn  on  his  estates 
until  they  could  find  suitable  homes  elsewhere. 

Hearing  that  they  had  reached  a  place  of  safety, 
other  Moravians  took  their  lives  in  their  hands  and 
followed,  risking  the  imprisonment  and  torture 
which  were  sure  to  follow  an  unsuccessful  attempt 
to  leave  a  province,  the  Government  of  which  would 
neither  allow  them  to  be  happy  at  home  nor  to  sac- 
rifice everything  and  go  away.  Among  these  emi- 
grants were  five  young  men,  who  went  in  May, 
1724,  with  the  avowed  intention  of  trying  to  rcsus- 
ciatc  the  Unitas  Fratrum.  They  intended  to  go 
into  Poland,  where  the  organization  of  the  Unitas 
Fratrum  had  lasted  for  a  considerable  time  after  its 


NICHOLAS    LKXVIS.   COl'NT   ZINZEXDORF. 


ANTECEDENT  EVENTS.  23 

ruin  in  Bohemia,  but,  almost  by  accident,  they  de- 
cided to  first  visit  Christian  David,  who  had  led  the 
first  company  to  Herrnhut,  Saxony,  and  while  there 
they  became  convinced  that  God  meant  them  to 
throw  in  their  lot  with  these  refugees,  and  so  re- 
mained, coming  to  be  strong  leaders  in  the  renewed 
Unity. 

Several  years,  however,  elapsed  before  the  church 
was  re-established.  One  hundred  years  of  persecu- 
tion had  left  the  Moravians  only  traditions  of  the 
usages  of  the  fathers,  members  of  other  sects  who 
were  in  trouble  came  and  settled  among  them,  bring- 
ing diverse  views,  and  things  were  threatening  to 
become  very  much  involved,  when  Count  Zinzen- 
dorf,  who  had  hitherto  paid  little  attention  to  them, 
a\voke  to  the  realization  of  their  danger,  and  at  once 
set  to  work  to  help  them. 

It  %vas  no  easy  task  which  he  undertook,  for  the 
Moravians  insisted  on  retaining  their  ancient  disci- 
pline, and  he  must  needs  try  to  please  them  and  at 
the  same  time  preserve  the  bond  of  union  with  the 
State  Church, — the  Lutheran, — of  which,  as  his 
tenants,  they  were  officially  considered  members. 
His  tact  and  great  personal  magnetism  at  last 
healed  the  differences  which  had  sprung  up  between 
the  settlers,  the  opportune  finding  of  Comenius' 
Ratio  Disciplinae  enabled  them  with  certainty  to 
formulate  rules  that  agreed  with  those  of  the  an- 
cient Unitas  Fratrum,  and  a  marked  outpouring  of 
the  Holy  Spirit  at  a  Communion.  August  I3th,  1727, 
sealed  the  renewal  of  the  Church. 


24  Tin-;   MORAVIANS   IN   GEORGIA. 

"They  walked  with  God  in  peace  and  love, 

But  failed  with  one  another ; 
While  sternly  for  the  faith  they  strove, 

Brother  fell  out  with  brother ; 
But  He  in  Whom  they  put  their  trust, 

Who  knew  their  frames,  that  they  were  dust, 
Pitied  and  healed  their  weakness. 

"He  found  them  in  His  House  of  prayer, 

With  one  accord  assembled. 
And  so  revealed  His  presence  there, 

They  wept  for  joy  and  trembled  : 
One  cup  they  drank,  one  bread  they  brake, 

One  baptism  shared,  one  language  spake, 
Forgiving  and  forgiven. 

"Then  forth  they  went  with  tongues  of  flame 

In  one  blest  theme  delighting, 
The  love  of  Jesus  and  His  Name 

God's  children  all  uniting! 
That  love  our  theme  and  watchword  still ; 

That  law  of  love  may  we  fulfill, 
And  love  as  we  are  loved." 

(Montgomery.) 

At  this  time  there  was  no  thought  of  separating 
from  the  State  Church  and  establishing  a  distinct 
denomination,  and  Zinzendorf  believed  that  the 
I'nitas  Fratrum  could  exist  as  a  society  working  in, 
and  in  harmony  with,  the  State  Church  of  whatever 
nation  it  might  enter.  This  idea,  borrowed  proba- 
bly from  Spener's  "ccclcsiolac  in  ccclcsia,"  clung  to 
him,  even  after  circumstances  had  forced  the  Unit\ 


ANTECEDENT  EVENTS.  25 

to  declare  its  independence  and  the  validity  of  the 
ordination  of  its  ministry,  and  many  otherwise  inex- 
plicable things  in  the  later  policy  of  the  Church  may 
be  traced  to  its  influence. 

HALLE    OPPOSITION. 

In  1/34  Zinzendorf  took  orders  in  the  Lutheran 
Church,  but  this,  and  all  that  preceded  it,  seemed 
to  augment  rather  than  quiet  the  antagonism  which 
the  development  of  Herrnhut  aroused  in  certain 
quarters.  This  opposition  was  not  universal.  The 
Moravians  had  many  warm  friends  and  advocates 
at  the  Saxon  Court,  at  the  Universities  of  Jena  and 
Tubingen,  and  elsewhere,  but  they  also  had  active 
enemies  who  drew  their  inspiration  prinicpally  from 
the  University  of  Halle. 

The  opposition  of  Halle  seems  to  have  been 
largely  prompted  by  jealousy.  In  1666  a  revolt 
against  the  prevailing  cold  formalism  of  the  Luther- 
an Church  was  begun  by  Philip  Jacob  Spener,  a 
minister  of  that  Church,  who  strongly  urged  the 
need  for  real  personal  piety  on  the  part  of  each  in- 
dividual. His  ideas  were  warmly  received  by 
some,  and  disliked  by  others,  who  stigmatized  Spe- 
ner and  his  disciples  as  "Pietists,"  but  the  doctrine 
spread,  and  in  the  course  of  time  the  University  of 
Halle  became  its  centre.  Among  those  who  were 
greatly  attracted  by  the  movement  were  Count  Zin- 
zendorf's  parents  and  grandparents,  and  when  he 
was  born,  May  26th,  1700,  Spener  was  selected  as 
his  sponsor. 

Being  of  a  warm-hearted,  devout  nature,  young 


26  THE  MORAVIANS  IN   GEORGIA. 

Zinzcndorf  yielded  readily  to  the  influence  of  his 
pious  grandmother,  to  whose  care  he  was  left  after 
his  father's  death  and  his  mother's  second  marriage, 
and  by  her  wish  he  entered  the  Paedagogium  at 
Halle  in  1710,  remaining  there  six  years.  Then  his 
uncle,  fearing  that  he  would  become  a  religious  en- 
thusiast, sent  him  to  the  University  of  Wittenberg, 
with  strict  orders  to  apply  himself  to  the  study  of 
law.  Here  he  learned  to  recognize  the  good  side 
of  the  Wittenberg  divines,  who  were  decried  by 
Halle,  and  tried  to  bring  the  two  Universities  to  a 
better  understanding,  but  without  result. 

In  1719  he  was  sent  on  an  extensive  foreign  tour, 
according  to  custom,  and  in  the  picture  gallery  ol 
Diisseldorf  saw  an  Ecce  Homo  with  its  inscription 
"This  have  I  done  for  thee,  wrhat  hast  thou  done  for 
me?"  which  settled  him  forever  in  his  determination 
to  devote  his  whole  life  to  the  service  of  Christ. 

Rather  against  his  wishes.  Count  Zinzendorf  then 
took  office  under  the  Saxon  Government,  but  about 
the  same  time  he  bought  from  his  grandmother  the 
estate  of  Berthelsdorf,  desiring  to  establish  a  centre 
of  piety,  resembling  Halle.  The  coming  of  the  Mo- 
ravian and  other  refugees  and  their  settlement  at 
Herrnhut,  near  Berthelsdorf,  was  to  him  at  first 
only  an  incident;  but  as  their  industry  and  the 
preaching  of  Pastor  Rothe,  whom  he  had  put  in 
charge  of  the  Berthelsdorf  Lutheran  Church,  began 
to  attract  attention,  he  went  to  Halle,  expecting 
sympathy  from  his  friends  there.  Instead  he  met 
with  rebuke  and  disapproval,  the  leaders  resenting 
the  fact  that  he  had  not  placed  the  work  directly 
under  their  control,  and  apparently  realizing,  as  he 


ECCE   HOMO 
von  Doincnifo  Foti  seb.  1589  zu  Horn 


.  ld'24  xu  "X'onodij 


KDKNT  EVENTS.  27 

(lid  not,  that  the  movement  would  probably  lead  to 
the  establishment  of  a  separate  church. 

In  spite  of  their  disapprobation,  the  work  at 
Herrnhut  prospered,  and  the  more  it  increased  the 
fiercer  their  resentment  grew.  That  they,  who  had 
gained  their  name  from  their  advocacy  of  the  need 
for  personal  piety,  should  have  been  foremost  in  op- 
posing a  man  whose  piety  was  his  strongest  charac- 
teristic, and  a  people  who  for  three  hundred  years, 
in  prosperity  and  adversity,  in  danger,  torture  and 
exile,  had  held  "Christ  and  Him  Crucified"  as  their 
Confession  of  Faith,  and  pure  and  simple  living  for 
His  sake  as  their  object  in  life,  is  one  of  the  ironies 
of  history. 

Nor  did  the  Halle  party  confine  itself  to  criticism. 
Some  years  later  Zinzendorf  was  for  a  time  driven 
into  exile,  and  narrowly  escaped  the  confiscation  of 
all  his  property,  while  its  methods  of  obstructing  the 
missionary  and  colonizing  efforts  of  the  Moravians 
will  appear  in  the  further  history  of  the  Georgia 
col  on  v. 


CHAPTER  II. 

NEGOTIATIONS  WITH  TIIK  TRUSTEES  OF 
GEORGIA. 

THE   SCIIWEXKKEI.DERS. 

Among  those  who  came  to  share  the  hospitali- 
ties of  Count  Zinzendorf  during"  the  years  immedi- 
ately preceding  the  renewal  of  the  Unitas  Fratrum, 
were  a  company  of  Schwenkfelders.  Their  sojourn 
on  his  estate  was  comparatively  brief,  and  their  as- 
sociation with  the  Moravian  Church  only  tempo- 
rary, but  they  are  of  interest  because  their  necessi- 
ties led  directly  to  the  Moravian  settlements  in  Geor- 
gia and  Pennsylvania. 

The  Schwenkfelders  took  their  name  from  Cas- 
per Sclnvenkfeld,  a  Silesian  nobleman  contempo- 
rary with  Luther,  who  had  in  the  main  embraced  the 
Reformer's  doctrines,  but  formed  some  opinions  of 
his  own  in  regard  to  the  Lord's  Supper,  and  one  or 
two  other  points.  Ilis  followers  were  persecuted  in 
turn  by  Lutherans  and  Jesuits,  and  in  1725  a  num- 
ber of  them  threw  themselves  on  the  mercy  of 
Count  Zinzendorf.  lie  permitted  them  to  stay  for 
a  while  at  Ilerrnhut.  where  their  views  served  to 
increase  the  confusion  which  prevailed  prior  to  the 
revival  of  1727,  about  which  time  he  moved  them 
to  Ober-I'.ertlielsdorf. 

In  1732.  Zinzendorf's  personal  enemies  accused 
him,  belore  the  Saxon  Court,  of  being  a  dangerous 


NEGOTIATIONS  WITH  TRUSTEES  OF  GEORGIA.     29 

man,  and  the  Austrian  Government  complained  that 
he  was  enticing  its  subjects  to  remove  to  his  estates. 
The  Count  asked  for  a  judicial  investigation,  which 
was  grunted,  the  Prefect  of  Gorlitz  spending  three 
days  in  a  rigid  examination  of  the  affairs  of  Herrn- 
hut.  The  result  was  a  most  favorable  report,  show- 
ing the  orthodoxy  of  the  settlers,  and  that  instead 
of  urging  emigration  from  Bohemia  and  Moravia, 
Zinzendorf  had  protested  against  it,  receiving  only 
those  who  were  true  exiles  for  conscience'  sake.  In 
spite  of  this  the  Saxon  Government,  a  few  months 
later,  forbade  him  to  receive  any  more  refugees. 

In  April,  1/33,  a  decree  went  forth  that  all 
Schwenkf elders  were  to  leave  the  Kingdom  of  Sax- 
ony. This,  of  course,  affected  those  who  were  living 
at  Ober-Berthelsdorf,  and  a  committee  of  four  wait- 
ed on  Count  Zinzendorf,  and  requested  him  to  secure 
a  new  home  for  them  in  the  land  of  Georgia  in 
Xorth  America.  Probably  Zinzendorf,  whose  atten- 
tion had  been  caught  by  the  attractive  advertise- 
ments of  the  Trustees,  had  unofficially  suggested  the 
idea  to  them. 

Lest  his  opening  negotiations  with  the  English 
Company  should  foment  the  trouble  at  home,  he  sent 
his  first  communication  to  them  anonymously,  about 
the  end  of  1733 

"A  nobleman,  of  the  Protestant  religion,  connect- 
ed with  the  most  influential  families  of  Germany, 
has  decided  to  live  for  a  time  in  America,  without, 
however,  renouncing  his  estates  in  Germany.  Hut 
as  circumstances  render  it  inadvisable  for  him  to 
take  such  a  step  hastily,  he  wishes  to  send  in  advance 
a  number  of  families  of  bis  dependents,  composed 
3 


30  THE  MORAVIANS  IN   GEORGIA. 

of  honest,  sturdy,  industrious,  skillful,  economical 
people,  well  ordered  in  iheir  domestic  affairs,  who, 
having  no  debts,  will  try  to  sell  such  possessions  as 
they  cannot  take  with  them  in  order  to  raise  the 
funds  for  establishing  themselves  in  their  new- 
home. 

"This  nobleman,  on  his  part,  promises: 

1 i )  To  be  governed  by  the  King,  and  the  Eng- 
lish  Nation,   in   all   things,   matters    of    conscience 
alone  exceptcd ;  that  is,  he  will  be  true  to  the  Prince, 
the  Protestant  Succession,  and  Parliament  in  every- 
thing relating  to  the  estates  he  may  receive  in  this 
country,  and  thereto  will  pledge  his  life,   and   the 
property  he  may  in  future  hold  under  the  protection 
of  His  Majesty  of  Great  Britain. 

(2)  To  be  surety    for    the    dependents  that  he 
sends   over,   and   to  assume   only    such    jurisdiction 
over  them  as  is  ctistoniarv  among  English  Lords  on 
their  estates. 

(3)  To  carefully  repay  the  English   Nation   such 
sums  as  may  be  advanced   for  his  establishment   in 
Georgia,  and   moreover,  as   soon   as  the  proper! v   is 
in   good   condition,    to   consider    it     only   as    rented 
until   the  obligation   is   discharged. 

(4)  To  assist  the  King  and  Nation,  with  all  xeal 
and   by   all   means   in    hi<   power,   to   carry   out    !li> 
Majesty's    designs    for   Georgia,      lie   will    bring   to 
that  all  the  insight  and  knowledge  of  a  man  of  af- 
fairs,  who    from   youth     up     has     studied    the   most 
wholesome  principles  and  laws   for  a  State,  and  has 
had  personal  experience  in  putting  them  into  execu- 
tion ;   but.   on    the   other   band,   he   ha^   learned    such 


NEGOTIATIONS  WITH  TRUSTEES  OF  GEORGIA.     31 

self-control  that  he  will  meddle    with    nothing  in 
which  his  services  are  not  desired. 

"In  consideration  of  these  things  the  nobleman 
asks  that — 

1 i )  If   more  knowledge  of  his   standing   is   de- 
sired he  shall  be  expected  to  give  it  to  no  one  except 
a  Committee  of  Parliament,  composed  of  members 
of  both  houses,  appointed  by  his  Britannic  Majesty, 
or  to  a  Committee  of  the  Collcgii  directoriatis  of 
America,  who  shall  be  empowered  to  grant  his  re- 
quests ;  this  in  view  of  the  fact  that  the  petitioner  is 
a  German  Nobleman,  whose  family  is  well  known, 
his    father   having   been   Ambassador   to    England, 
and  his  kindred  among  the  foremost  statesmen  of 
Europe. 

(2)  After  the  Committee  has  received  sufficient 
and  satisfactory  information  it  shall  be  silent  in  re- 
gard to  the  circumstances  and  his   personality,   as 
he  has  weighty  reasons  for  not  wishing  to  subject 
himself  to  criticism. 

(3)  He  shall  be  given  a  written  agreement,  guar- 
anteeing the  following  things : 

a.  That  he  shall  receive  enough  land  for  a  house- 
hold of  fifty  to  sixty  persons,  and  for  about  a  hun- 
dred other  dependents,  most  of  whom  have  a  trade 
or  profession,  and  all  able  to  help  build  up  the  coun- 
try. 

b.  That  his  dependents  shall  be  given  free  trans- 
portation, and  supplies  for  the  voyage. 

c.  That  they  shall  be  taken  directly  to  the  place 
mentioned  in  the  agreement. 

(/.  That  he  and  his  agent  shall  have  certain  sums 
advanced  to  him   for  the  expenses  of  the   removal 


32  THE  MORAVIANS  IN  GEORGIA. 

to  Georgia,  the  money  to  be  given  them  only  when 
they  are  ready  to  embark  in  England, — payment  to 
be  made  several  years  later,  a  rate  of  interest  having 
been  mutually  agreed  on,  and  the  estate  in  Georgia 
being  given  for  security  if  necessary. 

c.  All  that  is  needed  for  the  building  of  a  village 
for  himself  and  his  dependents  shall  be  furnished 
them, — but  as  an  interest  bearing  loan. 

/'.  That  he,  and  the  colonists  who  will  go  with 
him,  shall  have  full  religious  liberty,  they  being 
neither  papists  nor  visionaries. 

g.  That  if  any  of  his  dependents  should  fall  into 
error  no  one  should  attempt  to  correct  them,  but 
leave  him  to  handle  the  matter  according  to  his  own 
judgment;  on  the  other  hand  he  will  stand  surety 
for  the  conduct  of  his  dependents  as  citizens. 

h.  That  he  and  his  descendents  shall  be  taken 
under  the  protection  of  the  English  Nation  if  they 
request  it. 

/.  That  he  may  be  permitted  to  choose  whether 
he  will  go  himself  to  Georgia,  or  send  a  representa- 
tive to  set  his  affairs  in  order,  and  if  the  latter,  then 
the  representative  shall  receive  the  courteous  treat- 
ment that  would  have  been  accorded  him. 

;.  That  those  among  his  colonists  who  wish  to 
preach  the  gospel  to  the  heathen  shall  be  allowed  to 
do  so;  and  their  converts  shall  have  the  same  re- 
ligious freedom  as  his  colonists. 

k.  That  lie  and  his  dependents  in  Georgia  shall 
be  given  the1  privileges  in  spiritual  affairs  which 
the  independent  Lords  of  Germany  enjoy  in  tempo- 
ral affairs. 

/.   That  all  his  property  shall  be  at  the  service  of 


NEGOTIATIONS  WITH  TRUSTEES  OF  GEORGIA.     33 

the  State  in  time  of  need,  but  neither  he  nor  his  de- 
pendents shall  be  called  on  for  military  duty,  in 
lieu  whereof  he  will,  if  necessary,  pay  a  double  war 
tax." 

From  this  document  it  appears  that  even  at  this 
early  stage  of  the  negotiations  Zinzendorf's  plans 
for  the  settlement  in  Georgia  were  well  matured. 
A  town  was  to  be  built  by  his  colonists,  where  they 
should  have  all  privileges  for  the  free'  exercise  oi 
their  religion;  they,  as  thrifty  citizens,  were  to  as- 
sist in  the  upbuilding  of  Georgia;  they  were  to 
preach  the  gospel  to  the  heathen ;  they  were  not  to 
bear  arms,  but  in  case  of  war  to  pay  a  double  tax. 
His  careful  avoidance  of  the  plea  of  religious  perse- 
cution was  caused  by  the  fact  that  his  own  King 
had  ordered  the  exile  of  the  Schwenkfelders,  for 
Zinzendorf  all  his  life  sought  to  pay  due  respect  to 
those  in  authority,  and  even  wrhen  his  conscience 
forced  him  to  differ  with  them  it  was  done  with  per- 
fect courtesy,  giving  equal  weight  to  all  parts  of  the 
commandment  "Honor  all  men ;  love  the  brother- 
hood ;  fear  God ;  honor  the  King." 

The  proposals  of  the  Count  were  forwarded 
through  Herr  von  Pfeil,  and  were  presented  to  the 
Trustees  of  the  Colony  of  Georgia  by  a  Mr.  Lo- 
renz.  Who  this  gentleman  \vas  does  not  appear, 
but  a  man  bearing  that  name  was  one  of  the  Ger- 
mans, living  in  London,  who  in  1/37  formed  a  so- 
ciety for  religious  improvement  under  the  influence 
of  Count  Zinzendorf. 


34  THE  MORAVIANS  IN  GEORGIA. 

Through  the  same  channel  the  answer  of  the 
Trustees  was  returned : 

"Mu.  LORENZ, 

The  proposals  sent  by  Baron  Pfeil  from  Ratis- 
bon  (Regensberg)  to  the  Trustees  of  Georgia  have 
been  read  at  their  meeting,  but  as  they  see  that  the 
gentleman  asks  pecuniary  assistance  for  the  estab- 
lishment he  contemplates,  they  answer  that  they 
have  absolutely  no  fund  from  which  to  defray  such 
expenses,  but  that  in  case  the  gentleman  who  sug- 
gests it  wishes  to  undertake  the  enterprise  at  his 
own  cost  they  will  be  able  to  grant  him  land  in 
Georgia  on  conditions  to  which  no  one  could  ob- 
ject, and  which  he  may  learn  as  soon  as  the  Trustees 
have  been  informed  that  he  has  decided  to  go  at  his 
own  expense.  You  will  have  the  kindness  to  for- 
ward this  to  Baron  Pfeil,  and  oblige, 
your  most  humble 

servant  J.  VERNOX." 

Whether  this  plea  of  "no  fund"  was  prompted  by 
indifference,  or  whether  they  really  considered  the 
money  appropriated  by  Parliament  as  intended  for 
the  Salzburgers  alone,  is  immaterial.  Perhaps  Zin- 
zcndorf's  very  proposals  to  consider  any  assistance 
as  a  loan  made  them  think  him  able  to  finance  the 
scheme  himself. 

The  Schwenkfelders,  being  under  orders  to  ex- 
patriate themselves,  left  Berthelsdorf  on  the  26th 
of  May.  1/34.  under  the  leadership  of  Christopher 
Wiegner  (sometimes  called  George  in  Moravian 
MSS.)  and  at  their  request  George  Bdhnisch,  one 
of  the  1  lerrnhut  Moravians,  went  with  them.  Their 


NEGOTIATIONS  WITH  TRUSTEES  OF  GEORGIA.     35 

plan  was  to  go  through  Holland  to  England,  and 
thence  to  Georgia,  but  in  the  former  country  they 
changed  their  minds  and  sailed  for  Pennsylvania. 
In  December  of  the  same  year  Spangenberg  was  in 
Rotterdam,  where  he  lodged  with  a  Dr.  Koker,  from 
whom  he  learned  the  reason  for  their,  until  then, 
unexplained  behavior.  Dr.  Koker  belonged  to  a 
Society  calling,  themselves  the  '''Collegiants,"  the 
membership  of  which  was  drawn  from  the  Re- 
formed, Lutheran,  and  various  other  churches. 
Their  cardinal  principles  were  freedom  of  speech, 
freedom  of  belief,  and  liberty  to  retain  membership 
in  their  own  denominations  if  they  desired.  The  So- 
ciety was  really  an  offshoot  of  the  Baptist  Church, 
differing,  however,  in  its  non-in  si  stance  upon  a  par- 
ticular form  of  baptism.  Twice  a  year  the  mem- 
bers met  in  the  Lord's  Supper,  to  which  all  were 
welcomed  whose  life  was  beyond  reproach.  Tn  Hol- 
land they  enjoyed  the  same  privileges  as  other  sects, 
and  had  a  following  in  Amsterdam.  Haarlem,  Rot- 
terdam. Leyden,  etc. 

Tt  appeared  that  the  Schwenkfelders  had  first  ad- 
dressed themselves  to  these  Collegiants,  especially 
to  Cornelius  van  Putten  in  Haarlem,  and  Pieter  Ko- 
ker in  Rotterdam,  but  when  their  need  grew  more 
pressing  they  appealed  to  Count  Zinzendorf.  When 
he  was  not  able  to  obtain  for  them  all  they  wanted, 
they  turned  again  to  the  Collegiants,  and  were  in 
conference  with  them  in  Rotterdam.  The  Collegi- 
ants were  very  much  opposed  to  the  Georgia  Col- 
ony,— "the  Dutch  intensely  disliked  anything  that 
would  connect  them  with  England." — and  although 
Thomas  Coram.  one  of  the  Trustees,  who  happened 


3<>  THE   MORAVIANS  IN   GEORGIA. 

to  be  in  Rotterdam,  promised  the  Sclnvenkfelders 
free  transportation  (which  had  been  refused  Zin- 
zendorf),  the  Collegiants  persuaded  them  not  to  go 
to  Georgia.  Their  chief  argument  was  that  the 
English  Government  sent  its  convicts  to  Georgia,  a 
proof  that  it  was  not  a  good  land,  and  the  Sclnvenk- 
felders were  also  told  that  the  English  intended  to 
use  them  as  slaves. 

Disturbed  by  this  view  of  the  case,  the  Sclnvenk- 
felders accepted  an  offer  of  free  transportation  to 
Pennsylvania,  where  they  arrived  in  safety  on  the 
22nd  of  September. 

Spangcnberg  had  wished  to  serve  as  their  pastor 
in  Georgia,  thinking  it  would  give  him  opportunity 
to  carry  out  his  cherished  wish  to  bear  the  gospel 
message  to  the  heathen,  and  he  felt  himself  still  in 
a  measure  bound  to  them,  despite  their  change  ot 
purpose,  and  at  a  somewhat  later  time  did  visit  them 
in  their  new  home.  There  was  some  idea  of  then 
taking  them  to  Georgia,  but  it  did  not  materialize, 
and  they  remained  permanently  in  Pennsylvania, 
settling  in  the  counties  of  [Montgomery,  Berks  and 
Lchigh.  Their  descendents  there  preserve  the  cus- 
toms of  their  fathers,  and  are  the  only  representa- 
tives of  the  Schwcnkf elder  form  of  doctrine,  the 
sect  having  become  extinct  in  Europe. 

PRELIMINARY  STEPS. 

While  the  exile  of  the  Sclnvenkfelders  was  the 
immediate'  cause  which  led  Zinzendorf  to  open  nego- 
tiations with  the  Trustees  of  the  Colony  of  Georgia, 
the  impulse  which  prompted  him  involved  far  more 


NEGOTIATIONS  WITH  TRUSTEES  oi;  GEORGIA.     37 

than  mere  assistance  to  them.  Foreign  Missions, 
in  the  modern  sense  of  the  word,  were  almost  un- 
known in  Zinzendorf's  boyhood,  yet  from  his  earli- 
est days  his  thoughts  turned  often  to  those  who  lay 
beyond  the  reach  of  gospel  light.  In  1730,  while 
on  a  visit  to  Copenhagen,  he  heard  that  the  Luther- 
an Missionary  Hans  Egede,  who  for  years  had  been 
laboring  single  handed  to  convert  the  Eskimos  of 
Greenland,  was  sorely  in  need  of  help  ;  and  Anthony, . 
the  negro  body-servant  of  a  Count  Laurwig,  gave 
him  a  most  pathetic  description  of  the  condition  of 
the  negro  slaves  in  the  Danish  West  Indies. 

Filled  with  enthusiasm,  Zinzendorf  returned  to 
Herrnhut,  and  poured  the  two  stories  into  willing 
ears,  for  ever  since  the  great  revival  of  1727  the 
Moravian  emigrants  had  been  scanning  the  field, 
anxious  to  carry  the  "good  news"  abroad,  and  held 
back  only  by  the  apparent  impossibility  of  going 
forward.  Who  were  the}',  without  influence,  with- 
out means,  without  a  country  even,  that  they  should 
take  such  an  office  upon  themselves  ?  But  the  de- 
sire remained,  and  at  this  summons  they  prepared  to 
do  the  impossible.  In  August,  1/32,  two  men  start- 
ed for  St.  Thomas, — in  April,  1733,  three  more 
sailed  for  Greenland,  and  in  the  face  of  hardships 
that  would  have  daunted  men  of  less  than  heroic 
mold,  successful  missions  were  established  at  both 
places. 

But  this  was  not  enough.  "My  passionate  de- 
sire," wrote  Zinzendorf  from  Herrnhut  in  January, 
1735,  "my  passionate  desire  to  make  Jesus  known 
among  the  heathen  has  found  a  satisfaction  in  the 
blessed  Greenland,  St.  Thomas  and  Lapp  work,  but 


38  Tine  MORAVIANS  ix   GEORGIA. 

without  appeasing-  my  hunger.  I  therefore  look 
into  every  opportunity  which  presents  itself,  seeking 
that  the  kingdom  of  my  Redeemer  may  be  strength- 
ened among  men." 

Xor  did  he  lack  ready  assistants,  for  the  Mora- 
vians were  as  eager  as  he.  "When  we  in  Herrn- 
hut  heard  of  Georgia,  of  which  much  was  being 
published  in  the  newspapers,  and  when  we  realized 
the  opportunity  it  would  give  to  carry  the  Truth 
to  the  heathen,  several  Brethren,  who  had  the  Lord's 
honor  much  at  heart,  were  led.  doubtless  by  His 
hand,  to  think  that  it  would  be  a  good  plan  to  send 
some  Brethren  thither,  if  it  might  please  the  Lord 
to  bless  our  work  among  the  heathen,  and  so  to  bring 
those  poor  souls,  now  far  from  Christ,  nigh  unto 
Him.  We  tried  to  learn  about  the  land,  but  could 
secure  no  accurate  information,  for  some  spoke 
from  hearsay,  others  with  prejudice,  and  many  more 
with  too  great  partiality.  But  we  at  last  decided  to 
venture,  in  the'  faith  that  the  Lord  would  help  us 
through." 

The  needs  of  the  Schwenkf elders  gave  a  new 
turn  to  their  thoughts,  and  suggested  the  advant- 
ages that  might  accrue  from  a  settlement  in  America 
to  which  thev  might  all  retreat  if  the  persecution  in 
Saxony  waxed  violent;  but  early  in  the  year  1/34, 
the  question  "Shall  we  go  to  Georgia  only  as  Colo- 
nists, or  also  as  Missionaries?"  was  submitted  to 
the  lot,  and  the  answer  was  "As  Missionaries  also." 

The  defection  of  the  Schwenkfelders,  therefore, 
while  a  serious  interference  with  the  Herrnhut  plan, 
was  not  allowed  to  ruin  the  project.  Zinzendorf 
wrote  again  to  the  Trustees,  and  they  repeated  their 


NEGOTIATIONS  WITH  TRUSTEES  OF  GEORGIA.     39 

promise  of  land,  provided  his  colonists  would  go  at 
their  own  expense. 

After  much  consultation  the  decision  was  reached 
that  Zinzendorf  should  ask  for  a  tract  of  five  hun- 
dred acres,  and  that  ten  men  should  be  sent  over  to 
begin  a  town,  their  families  and  additional  settlers 
to  follow  them  in  a  few  months. 

The  next  step  was  to  find  a  way  to  send  these  men 
across  the  Atlantic.  Baron  George  Philipp  Fred- 
erick von  Reck,  a  nephew  of  Herr  von  Pfeil,  who 
had  led  the  first  company  of  Salzburgers  to  Geor- 
gia, was  planning  to  take  a  second  company  in  the 
course  of  the  next  months.  He  was  young  and  en- 
thusiastic, met  Zinzendorf's  overtures  most  kindly, 
and  even  visited  Herrnhut  in  the  early  part  of  Octo- 
ber, 1734,  when,  as  it  happened,  nine  of  the  pros- 
pective colonists  were  formally  presented  to  the 
Congregation.  Baron  Reck  was  very  much  im- 
pressed, promised  to  take  with  him  to  Georgia  any 
of  the  Moravians  who  wished  to  go,  and  even  sent 
to  David  Nitschmann,  who  was  to  conduct  the  party 
as  far  as  London,  full  authorization  to  bring  as 
many  as  desired  to  come,  promising  each  man  who 
went  at  his  own  expense  a  fifty-acre  freehold  in 
Georgia,  and  offering  others  necessary  assistance 
when  they  reached  London.  This  paper  was  signed 
at  Bautzen,  October  22nd,  1734. 

But  Reck  had  failed  to  realize  the  force  of  the 
Halle  opposition  to  Herrnhut,  and  soon  weakened 
under  the  weight  of  persuasion  and  command  laid 
upon  him  by  those  whose  opinion  he  felt  obliged  to 
respect.  On  the  4th  of  November  he  wrote  from 
\Vindhausen  to  Graf  Stolber^r  \Yerni«-erode,  "I  have 


4O  TILE  MORAVIANS  IN  GEORGIA. 

hesitated  and  vexed  myself  in  much  uncertainty 
whether  or  not  1  should  go  with  the  llerrnhuters  to 
America.  And  now  I  know  that  God  has  heard  our 
prayer  at  Halle  and  Wernigerode,  and  your  letters 
have  decided  me  to  stay  in  Germany  this  winter,  in 
the  first  place  because  my  going  would  be  a  grief  to 
my  dear  Urlsperger,  whom  I  love  as  a  father,  sec- 
ondly because  the  English  will  send  over  a  third 
transport  of  Salzburgcrs  in  the  coming  spring  and 
wish  me  to  take  them,  and  thirdly  because  I  wish  to 
obey  worthy  and  chosen  men  of  God." 

He  wrote  to  the  same  effect  to  Zinzendorf,  and 
the  Count,  though  doubtless  annoyed,  replied  sim- 
ply :  "Your  Highness'  resolution  to  accomodate 
yourself  to  your  superiors  would  be  known  by  us 
all  for  right.  You  will  then  not  blame  us  if  we  go 
•our  way  as  it  is  pointed  out  to  us  by  the  Lord.'' 

A  few  days  later  Reck  received  a  sharp  note  from 
the  Trustees  of  Georgia,  reproving  him  for  his  te- 
merity in  agreeing  to  take  the  Moravians  with  him 
to  Georgia  without  consulting  them,  and  reiterating 
the  statement  that  the  funds  in  their  hands  had 
been  given  for  the  use  of  the  Salzburgers,  and  could 
be  used  for  them  alone. 

The  young  man  must  have  winced  not  a  little 
under  all  this  censure,  but  while  he  yielded  his  plan 
to  the  wishes  of  the  Halle  party,  he  held  firmly  to 
the  opinion  he  had  formed  of  the  Moravians,  lie 
wrote  to  Urlsperger  and  others  in  their  behalf,  de- 
claring that  thev  were  a  godlv  people,  much  misun- 
derstood, that  it  was  a  shame  to  persecute  them  and 
try  to  hinder  their  going  to  Georgia,  and  he  felt 
sure  that  if  their  opponents  would  once  meet  the 


NEGOTIATIONS  WITH  TRUSTEES  OF  GEORGIA.     41 

Moravians  and  converse  with  them  freely,  confiden- 
tially, and  without  prejudice,  they  would  come  to 
respect  them  as  he  did.  He  also  suggested  that 
there  were  many  protestants  remaining  in  Bohe- 
mia, who  would  gladly  leave,  and  who  might  be  se- 
cured for  Georgia  on  the  terms  offered  to  the  Salz- 
burgers.  The  next  year  in  fact,  an  effort  was  made 
to  obtain  permission  from  the  Austrian  Government 
for  the  emigration  of  these  people,  and  Reck  was 
authorized  by  the  Trustees  to  take  them  to  Georgia, 
but  nothing  came  of  it. 

Xor  did  his  championship  of  the  Bohemians  and 
Moravians  already  in  Saxony  have  any  result.  Urls- 
perger  was  offended  that  the  negotiations  from 
Herrnhut  with  the  Trustees  were  not  being  carried 
on  through  him,  "the  only  one  in  Germany  to 
whom  the  Trustees  had  sent  formal  authority  to  re- 
ceive people  persecuted  on  account  of  religion,  or 
forced  to  emigrate,"  and  the  Halle  party  were  unable 
or  unwilling  to  meet  the  leaders  of  the  Moravians 
"without  prejudice.'''  The  company  of  Salzburg- 
ers  therefore  sailed  for  Georgia  in  November  with- 
out Baron  von  Reck,  and  without  the  Moravians, 
Mr.  Vat  acting  as  Commissary. 

The  Moravians,  meamvhile,  were  not  waiting 
idly  for  matters  to  turn  their  way,  but  even  before 
Reck  reached  his  decision  Spangenberg  had  started 
for  England  to  arrange  personally  with  the  Georgia 
Trustees  for  their  emigration. 

August  Gottlieb  Spangenberg  was  born  July  I5th, 
1/04.  at  Klettenberg,  Prussia.  In  the  year  1727, 
while  a  student  at  Jena,  he  became  acquainted  with 


42  Tnii  MORAVIANS  IN  GEORGIA. 

the  Moravians  through  a  visit  of  two  of  their  num- 
ber, which  won  them  many  friends  at  that  institu- 
tion. Later,  when  he  was  Assistant  Professor  of 
Theology  at  Halle,  he  was  required  to  sever  his  con- 
nection with  the  Moravians,  or  leave  the  University, 
and  choosing-  the  latter  he  came  to  Herrnhut  in  the 
spring  of  1/33.  He  was  one  of  the  strongest,  ablest, 
and  wisest  leaders  that  the  Unitas  Fratrum  has  ever 
had,  and  eventually  became  a  Bishop  of  the  Unity, 
and  a  member  of  its  governing  board.  He  was  a 
writer  of  marked  ability,  and  in  his  diaries  was  ac- 
customed to  speak  of  himself  as  "Brother  Joseph," 
by  which  name  he  was  also  widely  known  among 
the  Moravians. 

Spangenberg  left  Herrnhut  in  the  late  summer 
or  early  fall  of  1/34,  bearing  with  him  Zinzendorf's 
Power  of  Attorney  to  receive  for  him  a  grant  from 
the  Georgia  Trustees  of  five  hundred  acres  of  land, 
and  to  transact  all  other  necessary  business,  lie 
stopped  for  some  time  in  Holland,  where  he  made 
a  number  of  acquaintances,  some  of  whom  gave  him 
letters  of  introduction  to  friends  in  England  and  in 
America,  and  others  contributed  toward  the  neces- 
sary expenses  of  the  emigrants.  Prom  Rotterdam 
he  wrote  to  Zinzendorf,  saying  that  he  heard  no 
ship  would  sail  for  America  before  February  or 
March,  and  that  he  thought  it  would  be  best  for  the 
colonists  to  wait  until  he  wrote  from  London,  and 
then  to  come  by  way  of  Altona,  as  the  Holland 
route  was  very  expensive.  These  suggestions,  how- 
ever, came  too  late,  as  the  partv  had  left  llerrnhut 
before  the  arrival  of  his  letter. 

Spangenberg  had   a   stormy  voyage   to   England, 


NEGOTIATIONS  WITH  TRUSTEES  oif  GEORGIA.     43 

and  on  reaching  London,  rented  a  room  in  "Mr. 
Barlow's  Coffee  House,  in  Wattling's  street,  near 
St.  Anthelius  Church."  He  found  the  outlook  rather 
discouraging,  and  a  long  letter  written  on  the  loth 
of  January,  gives  a  vivid  picture  of  the  English 
mind  regarding  the  "Herrnhuters."  Spangenberg 
had  called  on  several  merchants  to  see  if  he  could 
arrange  a  loan  for  the  Moravians,  for  Zinzendorf's 
means  were  already  strained  to  the  utmost  by  what 
he  was  doing  for  the  Church,  and  he  did  not  see 
how  it  was  possible  to  provide  the  money  in  any 
other  way.  But  the  merchants  declined  to  make  the 
loan,  saying:  "We  can  not  take  the  land  (in  Geor- 
gia) as  surety,  for  it  is  not  yet  settled,  and  no  man 
would  give  us  a  doit  for  it;  the  personal  security  (of 
the  emigrants)  is  also  not  sufficient,  for  they  might 
all  die  on  the  sea  or  in  Georgia, — there  is  danger  of 
it,  for  the  land  is  warmer  than  Europeans  can  bear, 
and  many  who  have  moved  thither  have  died;  if 
the}-  settle  on  the  land  and  then  die  the  land  reverts 
to  the  Trustees,  so  we  would  lose  all ;  and  the  six 
per  cent  interest  offered  is  not  enough,  for  the 
money  applied  to  business  would  yield  twenty  per 
cent. 

Others  objected  to  having  the  Moravians  go  at 
all  especially  Court  Preacher  Ziegenhagen,  who  be- 
longed to  the  Halle  part}-,  and  who,  Spangenberg 
found,  had  much  influence  on  account  of  his  good 
judgment  and  spotless  character.  They  claimed: 
(i)  That  the  Moravians  were  not  oppressed  in 
Saxony,  and  had  no  good  reason  for  wishing  to 
leave:  (2)  that  to  say  they  wished  to  be  near  the 
heathen  was  only  an  excuse,  for  Georgia  had  noth- 


44  THE  MORAVIANS  IN   GEORGIA. 

ing  to  do  with  the  West  Indies  where  they  had  a 
mission;  (3)  the  Moravians  could  not  bear  the  ex- 
pense, and  neither  the  Trustees  nor  the  Society  for 
the  Propagation  of  Christian  Knowledge  would  help 
them  ;  (  4 )  they  could  neither  speak  nor  understand 
English,  and  would  therefore  be  unable  to  support 
themelves  in  an  English  colony;  (5)  their  going 
would  create  confusion,  for  Herr  Uolzius,  the  pas- 
tor of  the  Salzburgers  at  Ebenezer,  had  written  to 
beg  that  they  should  not  be  allowed  to  come;  (6)  if 
thev  went  it  would  involve  England  in  trouble  with 
Saxony,  and1  the  Georgia  Colony  was  ii(.>t  meant  to 
take  other  rulers'  subjects  away  from  them,  only  to 
furnish  an  asylum  for  exiles,  and  poor  Englishmen ; 
(  /  )  the  Moravians  could  not  remain  subject  to  Zin- 
zendorf,  for  they  must  all  become  naturalized  Eng- 
lishmen ;  (8)  the  suggestion  that  Zinzendorf's  land 
could  be  cultivated  by  the  heathen  was  absurd,  for 
slavery  was  not  permitted  in  Georgia  and  the  Mo- 
ravians could  not  ailord  to  hire  them:  (9)  ten  or 
fifteen  men,  as  were  said  to  be  on  the  way.  would 
never  be  able  to  make  headway  in  settling  the  for- 
est, a  task  which  had  been  almost  too  much  for  the 
large  company  of  Salzburgers. 

Some  of  these  statements  dealt  with  facts,  about 
which  the  critics  might  have  acquired  better  infor- 
mation, had  they  so  desired,  others  were  prophecies 
of  which  onlv  the  years  to  come  could  prove  or  dis- 
prove the  truth,  others  again  touched  difficulties 
which  were  even  then  confronting  Count  Zinzen- 
dorf's agent ;  but  in  the  light  of  contemporary  writ- 
ings and  later  developments,  it  is  possible  to  glance 
at  each  point  and  see  in  how  far  the  Halle  party  were 


NEGOTIATIONS  WITH  TRUSTEES  OF  GEORGIA.     45 

justified  in  their  argument,  (i)  The  treatment  in 
Saxony,  while  not  as  yet  a  persecution  which  threat- 
ened them  with  torture  and  death,  had  many  un- 
pleasant features,  and  the  constant  agitation  against 
them  might  at  any  time  crystalize  into  harsh  meas- 
ures, for  those  members  of  the  Herrnhut  commun- 
ity who  had  left  friends  and  relatives  in  the  home- 
lands of  Bohemia  and  Moravia  were  already  for- 
bidden to  invite  them  to  follow,  or  even  to  receive 
them  if  they  came  unasked  seeking  religious  free- 
dom. (2)  There  was  no  idea  of  associating  the 
missions  in  Georgia  and  the  West  Indies,  for  the 
heathen  whom  they  wished  to  reach  by  this  new 
settlement  were  the  Creek  and  Cherokee  Indians 
with  whom  Governor  Oglethorpe  had  already  es- 
tablished pleasant  relations,  bringing  several  of 
their  chiefs  to  England,  and  sending  them  home 
filled  with  admiration  for  all  they  had  seen,  much 
impressed  by  the  kindness  shown  them,  and  willing 
to  meet  any  efforts  that  might  be  made  to  teach 
them.  (3)  The  money  question  was  a  vital  one. 
and  it  was  principally  to  solve  that  that  Spangen- 
herg  had  come  to  England,  where  with  Oglethorpe's 
help  he  later  succeeded  in  securing  the  desired  loan. 
(4)  That  they  could  speak  little  English  was  also  a 
real  difficulty ;  Spangenberg  used  Latin  in  his  con- 
ferences with  the  educated  men  he  met  in  London, 
but  that  medium  was  useless  in  Georgia,  and  while 
the  Moravians  learned  English  as  rapidly  as  they 
could,  and  proved  their  capability  for  self-support, 
the  failure  to  fully  understand  or  be  understood  by 
their  neighbors  was  responsible  for  many  of  the 


46  THE  MORAVIANS  IN  GEORGIA. 

trials  that  were  awaiting-  them  in  the  New  World. 
(5)  The  protest  of  JJolzius  was  only  a  part  of  the 
general  Salzburger  opposition,  and  to  avoid  friction 
in  Georgia,  Zinzendorf  had  particularly  recommend- 
ed that  the  Moravians  settle  in  a  village  apart  by 
themselves,  where  they  could  "lead  godly  lives,  pat- 
terned after  the  writings  and  customs  of  the  apos- 
tles," without  giving  offense  to  any ;  and  he  prom- 
ised, for  the  same  reason,  that  as  soon  as  they  were 
established  he  would  send  them  a  regularly  ordained 
minister,  although  laymen  were  doing  missionary 
work  in  other  fields.  (6)  Jn  order  to  avoid  any  dan- 
ger of  creating  trouble  between  the  Governments, 
the  Moravian  colonists  carefully  said  nothing  in 
London  regarding  their  difficulties  in  Saxony,  or 
the  persecutions  in  Bohemia  and  Moravia,  and  in- 
stead of  proclaiming  themselves  exiles  for  the  Faith 
as  they  might  have  done  with  perfect  truth,  they 
appeared  simplv  as  Count  Zinzendorf's  servants, 
sent  by  him  to  cultivate  the  five  hundred  acres  about 
to  be  given  to  him,  and  bv  his  orders  to  preach  to 
the  Indians.  (7)  A  change  of  nationality  would 
not  affect  the  relation  between  Zinzendorf  and  his 
colonists,  for  their  position  as  his  dependents  in 
Germany  was  purely  voluntary,  such  service  as  they 
rendered  was  freely  given  in  exchange  for  his  legal 
protection,  and  his  supremacy  in  Church  affairs 
then  and  later  was  a  recognition  of  the  personal 
character  of  the  man,  not  a  yielding  of  submission 
to  the  Count.  (8)  That  the  Indians  could  not  be 
employed  on  Zinzendorf's  estate  was  quite  true,  not 
so  much  on  account  of  the  law  against  slaverv,  for 
the  Count  intended  nothing  of  that  kind,  but  their 


NEGOTIATIONS  WITH  TRUSTEES  OF  GEORGIA.    47 

character  and  wild  habits  rendered  them  incapable 
of  becoming  good  farmers,  as  the  American  Nation 
has  learned  through  many  years  of  effort  and  fail- 
ure. (9)  Whether  the  ten  or  fifteen  men,  rein- 
forced by  those  who  followed  them,  would  have 
been  able  to  make  a  home  in  the  heart  of  the  forest, 
will  never  be  known,  for  from  various  reasons  the 
town  on  the  five  hundred  acre  tract  was  never  be- 
gun. In  short,  while  the  Moravians  were  risking 
much  personal  discomfort,  there  was  nothing  in 
their  plan  which  could  possibly  injure  others,  and 
the  cavil  and  abuse  of  their  opposers  was  as  un* 
called  for  as  is  many  a  "private  opinion  publicly 
expressed  "  to-day. 

Hearing  of  the  many  obstacles  which  were  being 
thrown  in  their  way,  Mr.  Coram,  who  was  a  man 
of  wide  charities,  and  interested  in  other  colonies 
besides  Georgia,  suggested  to  Spangenberg  that  his 
company  should  go  to  Nova  Scotia,  where  the 
climate  was  milder,  and  offered  them  free  transpor- 
tation and  aid  in  settling  there,  but  this  proposal 
Spangenberg  at  once  rejected,  and  pinned  his  faith 
on  the  kindness  of  Gen.  Oglethorpe,  whose  return 
from  Georgia  the  preceding  July,  explained  the 
more  favorable  tone  of  the  Trustees'  letters  after 
that  date.  Oglethorpe  asked  him  numberless  ques- 
tions about  the  doctrine  and  practice  of  the  [Mora- 
vians, and  their  reasons  for  wishing  to  go  to 
Georgia,  and  promised  to  lay  the  matter  before  the 
Trustees,  using  all  his  influence  to  further  their 
designs. 

THE  "FIRST  COMPANY. " 

On  the  1 4th  of  January,   1/35,  the  first  company 


48  Tnii  MORAVIANS  IN   GEORGIA. 

of  Moravian  colonists  arrived  in  London.  At 
their  head  was  David  Nitschmann, — variously 
called  "the  III,"  "the  weaver,"  "the  Syndic,"  and 
Count  Zinzendorf's  "Hausmeister,"  who  was  to 
stay  with  them  until  they  left  England,  and  then 
return  to  Germany,  resigning  the  leadership  of  the 
party  to  Spangenberg,  who  was  instructed  to  take 
them  to  Georgia  and  establish  them  there,  and  then 
go  to  Pennsylvania  to  the  Schwenkfelders.  The 
other  nine  were 

John   Toltschig,   Zinzendorf's   flower-gardener. 

Peter  Rose,  a  gamekeeper. 

Gotthard  Demuth,  a  joiner. 

Gottfried  llaberecht,  weaver  of  woolen  goods. 

Anton  Seifcrt,  a  linen  weaver. 

George  Waschke,  carpenter. 

Michael  Habcrland,  carpenter. 

George  Haberland,  mason. 

Friedrich  Ricdcl,  mason. 

They  were  "  good  and  true  sons  of  God,  and  at 
the  same  time  skillful  workmen,"  with  such  a 
variety  of  handicrafts  as  to  render  them  largely  in- 
dependent of  outside  assistance  in  the  settlement 
which  they  proposed  to  make;  and  all  but  liabc- 
recht  were  religious  refugees  from  Moravia  and 
adjacent  parts  of  Bohemia. 

Xitschmann  and  Toltschig  were  two  of  the  live 
young  men  in  Zauchenthal,  Moravia,  who  had  set 
their  hearts  on  the  revival  of  the  ancient  Unitas 
Fratrum.  Toltschig's  father,  the  village  burgess, 
had  summoned  the  five  comrades  before  him.  and 
strict) v  forbidden  their  holding  religious  services. 


NEGOTIATIONS  WITH  TRUSTEES  OF  GEORGIA.     49 

warning  them  that  any  attempt  at  emigration  would 
be  severely  punished,  and  advising  them  to  act  as 
became  their  youth,  frequent  the  taverns  and  take 
part  in  dances  and  other  amusements.  They  were 
sons  of  well-to-do  parents,  and  little  more  than  boys 
in  years,  (Xitschmann  was  only  twenty),  but  their 
faith  and  purpose  were  dearer  to  them  than  any- 
thing else  on  earth,  so  they  had  left  all  and  come 
away,  commending  their  homes  and  kindred  to  the 
mercy  of  God,  and  singing  the  exile  hymn  of  the 
ancient  Unitas  Fratrum,  sacred  through  its  asso- 
ciation with  those  brave  hearts  who  had  known  the 
bitterness  and  the  joy  of  exile  a  hundred  years  be- 
fore. 

"  Blessed  the  day  when  I  must  go 

My  fatherland  no  more  to  know, 

My  lot  the  exile's  loneliness ; 

''  For  God  will  my  protector  be, 
And  angels  ministrant  for  me 

The  path  with  joys  divine  will  bless. 

"  And  God  to  some  small  place  will  guide 
Where  I  may  well  content  abide 

And  where  this  soul  of  mine  may  rest. 

"As  thirsty  harts  for  water  burn, 
For  Thee,  my  Lord  and  God,  I  yearn, 
If  Thou  are  mine  my  life  is  blest." 

Though  holding  positions  as  Count  Zinzendorf  s 
hausmeistcr  and  gardener,  both  Nitschmann  and 
Toltschig  were  actively  employed  in  the  affairs  of 
the  renewed  Unitas  Fratum,  and  had  been  to  Eng- 


50  Tiiu  MORAVIANS  IN  GEORGIA. 

land  in  1728  to  try  to  establish  relations  with  the 
Society  for  the  Propagation  of  Christian  Knowl- 
edge, though  without  success.  They  were  the  better 
fitted,  therefore,  to  conduct  the  party  to  England, 
and  to  share  in  the  negotiations  already  begun  by 
Spangenberg. 

This  ''first  company"  left  Herrnhut  on  the  2ist 
of  November,  1734,  traveling  by  Ebersdorf  (where 
Henry  XXIX,  Count  Reuss,  Countess  Zinzendorf's 
brother,  gave  them  a  letter  of  recommendation  to 
any  whom  they  might  meet  on  their  way),  to  Hol- 
land, whence  they  had  a  stormy  and  dangerous  voy- 
age to  England. 

The  day  after  they  reached  London  they  called 
on  Gen.  Oglethorpe  and  having  gained  admittance 
with  some  difficulty  they  were  very  well  received 
by  him,  carrying  on  a  conversation  in  a  mixture  of 
English  and  German,  but  understanding  each  other 
fairly  well.  Spangenberg  coming  in  most  oppor- 
tunely, the  Moravian  affairs  were  fully  discussed, 
and  the  new-comers  learned  that  their  arrival  had 
been  fortunately  timed,  for  the  Georgia  Trustees 
were  to  hold  one  of  their  semi-annual  meetings  two 
days  later,  when  Oglethorpe  could  press  their  mat- 
ter, and  a  ship  was  to  sail  for  Georgia  the  latter 
part  of  the  month.  Oglethorpe  was  disturbed  to 
find  that  the  colonists  bad  failed  to  raise  any  money 
toward  their  expenses,  but  promised  to  try  and  as- 
sist them  in  that  also. 

On  the  1 8th  the  colonists  were  formally  pre- 
sented to  the  Trustees,  heard  the  lively  argument 
for  and  against  their  cause,  and  had  the  satisfaction 


GENERAL  OGLETHORPE. 


NEGOTIATIONS  WITH  TRUSTEES  OF  GEORGIA.     51 

of  seeing  the  vote  cast  in  their  favor.  It  was  con- 
trary to  the  custom  of  the  Trustees  to  grant  lands 
to  any  who  did  not  come  in  person  to  apply  for 
them  and  declare  their  intention  of  going  to 
Georgia  to  settle,  but  Oglethorpe's  argument  that 
the  high  rank  of  Count  Zinzendorf  was  entitled  to 
consideration  was  accepted  and  five  hundred  acres 
of  land  were  granted  to  the  Count  and  his  male 
heirs. 

The  Indenture  bore  date  of  Jan.  10,  1734,  Old 
Style,  (Jan.  21,  1735,)  and  the  five  hundred  acres 
were  "to  be  set  out  limited  and  bounded  in  Such 
Manner  and  in  Such  Part  or  Parts  of  the  said  Prov- 
ince as  shall  be  thought  most  convenient  by  such 
Person  or  Persons  as  shall  by  the  said  Common 
Council  be  for  that  Purpose  authorized  and  appoint- 
ed," there  being  a  verbal  agreement  that  the  tract 
should  be  in  the  hilly  country  some  distance  from 
the  coast,  which,  though  less  accessible  and  less 
easily  cultivated,  lay  near  the  territory  occupied  by 
the  Indians.  Five  pounds  per  annum  was  named 
as  the  quit  rent,  payment  to  begin  eight  years  later ; 
and  such  part  of  the  tract  as  was  not  cleared  and 
improved  during  the  next  eighteen  years  was  to  re- 
vert to  the  Trustees.  The  Trustees  also  agreed  that 
they  would  reserve  two  hundred  acres  near  the 
larger  tract,  and  whenever  formally  requested  by 
Count  Zinzendorf,  would  grant  twenty  acres  each 
"  to  such  able  bodied  Young  Men  Servants  as 
should  arrive  and  settle  with  him  in  the  said  Prov- 
ince of  Georgia." 

In  addition  to  the  five  hundred  acres  granted  to 
Zinzendorf.  fifty  acres  were  given  to  Spangenberg, 


^2  THE  MORAVIANS   IN   GKOKC.IA. 

and  fifty  acres  to  Xitschmann,  although  as  the  latter 
was  not  going  to  Georgia,  and  the  former  did  not 
intend  to  stay,  this  alone  \vas  a  departure  from  the 
custom  of  the  Trustees.  Each  of  the  fifty  acre 
grants  was  in  three  parts,  a  lot  in  the  town  of  Sa- 
vannah, a  five  acre  garden,  and  a  forty-five  acre 
farm,  and  while  their  acquisition  had  not  been  a 
part  of  the  Herrnhut  plan  the  colonists  readily 
yielded  to  the  advice  of  their  English  friends,  who 
pointed  out  the  necessity  of  having  a  place  to  stay 
when  they  reached  Savannah,  and  land  that  they 
could  at  once  begin  to  cultivate,  without  waiting  for 
the  selection  and  survey  of  the  larger  tract.  In 
fact,  though  they  knew  it  not.  these  two  grants, 
which  lay  side  by  side,  were  destined  to  be  the  scene 
of  all  their  experiences  in  the  Province  of  Georgia. 
The  Trustees  seem  to  have  been  pleased  with  the 
appearance  of  their  new  settlers,  and  approved  of 
their  taking  passage  in  the  ship  that  was  to  sail  the 
latter  part  of  the  mouth.  Since  the  vessel  had  been 
chartered  bv  the  Trustees  thev  promised  to  make 
no  charge  for  such  baggage  as  the  Moravians 
wished  to  take  with  them,  arranged  that  they  should 
have  a  portion  of  the  ship  tor  themselves  instead  of 
IK  ing  quartered  with  the  oilier  passengers,  and  of- 
tered  Spangenberg  a  berth  in  the  Captain's  cabin. 
This  he  declined,  preferring  to  share  equally  with 
his  Brethren  in  the  hardships  of  tin-  voyage.  Medi- 
cine was  put  into  his  hands  to  be  dispensed  to  those 
who  might  need  it.  and  he  was  requested  to  take 
charge  of  about  fortv  Swiss  emigrants  who  wished 
to  :/o  in  the  same  vessel  on  their  wav  to  Purisburg 


NEGOTIATIONS  WITH  TRUSTEES  OF  GEORGIA.     53 

in  South  Carolina,  where  they  sought  better  ma- 
terial conditions  than  they  had  left  at  home. 

Land  having  been  secured,  Gen.  Oglethorpe  ar- 
ranged that  the  Trustees  should  lend  the  "  First 
Company,"  £60,  payable  in  five  years,  with  the  un- 
derstanding that  if  repaid  within  that  time  the  in- 
terest should  be  remitted,  otherwise  to  be  charged 
at  ten  per  cent.,  the  usual  rate  in  South  Carolina. 
Of  this  £10  was  spent  in  London  for  supplies,  and 
£50  paid  their  passage  across  the  Atlantic.  The 
ten  men  (Spangenberg  taking  Xitschmann's  place) 
pledged  themselves  jointly  and  severally  to  the  pay- 
ment of  the  debt,  the  bond  being  signed  on  Jan. 
22nd,  (Jan.  nth,  O.  S.)  the  day  after  the  grant  of 
the  land. 

In  addition  to  this  Oglethorpe  collected  £26 :5  :o, 
as  a  gift  for  the  Moravians,  £10  being  presented  to 
them  in  cash  in  London,  and  the  rest  forwarded  to 
Savannah  with  instructions  that  they  should  be  sup- 
plied with  cattle,  hogs  and  poultry  to  that  amount. 
Oglethorpe  further  instructed  Messrs.  Toojesiys 
and  Baker,  of  Charlestown,  to  honor  Spangenberg's 
drafts  on  him  to  the  amount  of  £20,  so  securing  the 
settlers  against  possible  need  in  their  new  home. 

The  next  day  Gen.  Oglethorpe  presented  Span- 
genberg to  the  Bishop  of  London,  who  received 
him  very  kindly.  Oglethorpe's  idea  was  that  the 
Moravians  might  allv  themselves  closely  with  the 
Church  of  England,  and  that  the  Bishop  might,  if 
they  wished,  ordain  one  of  their  members  from 
Herrnhut.  Spangenberg  and  Xitschmann  were  not 
authorized  to  enter  into  any  such  agreement,  but 
hot! i  welcomed  the  opportunity  to  establish  pleasant 


54  Tiiii  MORAVIANS  IN   GKORGIA. 

relations  with  the  English  clergy,  and  several  inter- 
views were  had  which  served  as  a  good  opening  for 
intercourse  in  later  years. 

Until  their  vessel  sailed,  the  Moravians  found 
plenty  to  interest  them  in  the  "  terribly  great  city,'"' 
where  they  were  regarded  with  much  interest,  and 
where  they  were  greatly  touched  by  the  unexpected 
kindness  they  received. 

They  had  interviews  with  the  Trustees,  with  Mr. 
Vernon,  and  with  Gen.  Oglethorpc,  who  gave  them 
much  information  as  to  what  to  expect  in  their  new 
home,  and  many  suggestions  as  to  the  best  way  of 
beginning  their  settlement.  Spangenberg  was  pre- 
sented to  the  "  Society  for  the  Propagation  of 
Christian  Knowledge,"  was  courteously  received, 
offered  more  books  than  he  was  willing  to  accept, 
invited  to  correspond  with  the  Society,  and  urged 
to  keep  on  friendly  terms  with  the  Salzburgers, 
which  he  assured  them  he  sincerely  desired  to  do. 
Conversations  with  Court— Preacher  Ziegcnhagen 
were  not  so  pleasant,  for  a  letter  had  come  from 
Senior  Urlsperger  inveighing  against  the  Mora- 
vians and  Zicgenhagen  put  forth  every  effort  to  re- 
claim Spangenberg  from  the  supposed  error  of  his 
ways,  and  to  persuade  him  to  stop  the  company 
about  to  start  for  Georgia,  or  at  least  to  separate 
himself  from  them,  and  return  to  the  old  friends  at 
Halle.  Oglcthorpe  smiled  at  the  prejudice  against 
the  Moravians,  and  told  them  frankly  that  efforts 
had  been  made  to  influence  him,  but  he  had  pre- 
ferred to  wait  and  judge  for  himself.  "  It  has  ever 
been  so,"  he  said,  "  from  the  time  of  the  early  Chris- 
tians ;  it  seems  to  be  the  custom  of  theologians  to 


NEGOTIATIONS  WITH  TRUSTEES  OE  GEORGIA.     55 

call  others  heretics.  They  say,  in  short,  '  you  do  not 
believe  what  I  believe,  a  Mohammedan  also  does  not 
believe  what  I  believe,  therefore  you  are  a  Moham- 
medan ;'  and  again  '  you  explain  this  Bible  passage 
so  and  so,  the  Socinian  also  explains  it  so  and  so, 
therefore  you  are  a  Socinian.'  ):  As  for  opposition, 
he,  too,  was  beginning  to  find  it  since  the  Georgia 
Colony  was  proving  a  success. 

Meanwhile  new  friends  were  springing  up  on 
every  side  of  the  Moravians.  A  doctor  helped  them 
lay  in  a  store  of  medicine,  another  gave  them  some 
balsam  which  was  good  for  numberless  external  and 
internal  uses.  A  German  merchant,  who  had  be- 
come an  English  citizen,  helped  them  purchase  such 
things  as  they  would  require  in  Georgia,  and  a  cob- 
bler assisted  Rieclel  in  buying  a  shoemaker's  outfit. 
Weapons  were  offered  to  all  the  members  of  the 
party,  but  declined,  as  they  wished  to  give  no  excuse 
to  any  one  who  might  try  to  press  them  into  military 
service.  They  yielded,  however,  to  the  argument 
that  they  would  need  to  protect  themselves  against 
wolves  and  bears,  and  sent  Peter  Rose,  the  game- 
keeper, with  Mr.  Verelst,  one  of  the  secretaries  of 
the  Trustees,  to  purchase  a  fowling  piece  and  hunt- 
ing knives. 

Letters  of  introduction  to  various  prominent  men 
in  America  were  given  to  them ;  and,  perhaps  most 
important  of  all  in  its  future  bearing,  people  dis- 
covered the  peculiar  charm  of  the  Moravian  services. 
Reference  is  made  in  the  diaries  to  one  and  an- 
other,— from  English  clergyman  to  Germans  resi- 
dent in  London, — who  joined  with  them  in  their  de- 


50  Tn ic  MORAVIANS   IN   GICOKGIA. 

votions,  and  seemed  mucli  moved  thereby.  Neither 
was  it  a  passing  emotion,  for  the  seed  a  little  later 
blossomed  into  the  English  [Moravian  Church. 

And  so  the  month  passed  swiftly  by,  and  the  ship 
was  ready  to  commence  her  long  voyage. 


CHAPTER  III. 
THE  FIRST  YEAR  IN  GEORGIA. 

THE    VOYAGE. 

In  the  year  1735  a  voyage  across  the  Atlantic  was 
a  very  different  thing  from  what  it  is  in  this  year  of 
grace  1904.  To-day  a  mighty  steamship  equipped 
with  powerful  engines,  plows  its  way  across  the  bil- 
lows with  little  regard  for  wind  and  weather,  bear- 
ing thousands  of  passengers,  man}'  of  whom  are 
given  all  the  luxury  that  space  permits,  a  table  that 
equals  any  provided  by  the  best  hotels  ashore,  and 
attendance  that  is  unsurpassed.  Then  weeks  were 
consumed  in  the  mere  effort  to  get  away  from  the 
British  Isles,  the  breeze  sometimes  permitting  the 
small  sailing  vessels  to  slip  from  one  port  to  another, 
and  then  holding  them  prisoner  for  days  before  an- 
other mile  could  be  gained.  Even  the  most  aristo- 
cratic voyager  was  forced  to  be  content  with  accom- 
modations and  fare  little  better  than  that  supplied  to 
a  modern  steerage  passenger,  and  those  who  could 
afford  it  took  with  them  a  private  stock  of  provisions 
to  supplement  the  ship's  table. 

And  yet  the  spell  of  adventure  or  philanthropy, 
gain  or  religion,  was  strong  upon  the  souls  of  men, 
and  thousands  sought  the  Xew  "World,  where  their 
imagination  saw  the  realization  of  all  their  dreams. 
Bravely  they  crossed  the  fathomless  deep  which 
heaved  beneath  them,  cutting  them  off  so  absolutely 


58  THE  AloRAviANS  IN  GEORGIA. 

from  the  loved  ones  left  at  home,  from  the  wise 
counsels  of  those  on  whom  they  were  accustomed  to 
depend,  and  from  the  strong  arm  of  the  Government 
under  whose  promised  protection  they  sailed,  to  work 
out  their  own  salvation  in  a  country  where  each  man 
claimed  to  be  a  law  unto  himself,  and  \vhere  years 
were  to  pass  before  Experience  had  once  more 
taught  the  lesson  that  real  freedom  was  to  be  gained 
only  through  a  general  recognition  of  the  rights  of 
others. 

On  the  3rd  of  February,  1735,  the  Moravians 
arose  early  in  their  London  lodging  house,  prayed 
heartily  together,  and  then  prepared  to  go  aboard 
their  vessel,  "The  Two  Brothers,"  Capt.  Thomson, 
where  the  Trustees  wished  to  see  all  w7ho  intended 
to  sail  on  her.  A  parting  visit  was  paid  to  Gen. 
Oglethorpe,  who  presented  them  with  a  hamper  of 
wine,  and  gave  them  his  best  wishes.  After  the  re- 
view on  the  boat  Spangenberg  and  Nitschmann  re- 
turned with  Air.  Ycrnon  to  London  to  attend  to  some 
last  matters,  while  the  ship  proceeded  to  Gravesend 
for  her  supply  of  water,  where  Spangenberg  re- 
joined her  a  few  days  later.  On  the  25th  of  Febru- 
ary they  passed  the  Azores,  and  disembarked  at 
Savannah,  April  8th,  having  been  nine  and  a  half 
weeks  on  shipboard. 

The  story  of  those  nine  weeks  is  simply,  but 
graphically,  told  in  the  diary  sent  back  to  Herrnhut. 
Scarcely  had  they  lifted  anchor  when  the  Moravians 
began  to  arrange  their  days,  that  they  might  not  be 
idly  wasted.  In  Hcrrnhut  it  was  customary  to  divide 
the  twenty- four  hours  among  several  members  of  the 
Church,  so  that  nisjht  and  dav  a  continuous  stream 


THE  FIRST  YEAR  IN  GEORGIA.  59 

of  prayer  and  praise  arose  to  the  throne  of  God,  and 
the  same  plan  was  now  adopted,  with  the  under- 
standins:  that  when  sea-sickness  overtook  the  com- 

o 

pany,  and  they  were  weak  and  ill,  no  time  limit 
should  be  fixed  for  the  devotions  of  any,  but  one  man 
should  pass  the  duty  to  another  as  circumstances  re- 
quired ! 

Other  arrangements  are  recorded  later,  when, 
having  grown  accustomed  to  ship  life,  they  sought 
additional  means  of  grace.  In  the  early  morning, 
before  the  other  passengers  were  up,  the  Moravians 
gathered  on  deck  to  hold  a  service  of  prayer ;  in  the 
afternoon  much  time  was  given  to  Bible  reading; 
and  in  the  evening  hymns  were  sung  that  bore  on  the 
text  that  had  been  given  in  the  morning.  Spangen- 
berg,  Toltschig,  and  Seifert,  in  the  order  named, 
were  the  recognized  leaders  of  the  party,  but  realiz- 
ing that  men  might  journey  together,  and  live  to- 
gether, and  still  know  each  other  only  superficially, 
it  was  agreed  that  each  of  the  ten  in  turn  should  on 
successive  days  speak  to  every  one  of  his  brethren 
face  to  face  and  heart  to  heart.  That  there  might  be 
no  confusion,  two  were  appointed  to  bring  the  food 
to  the  company  at  regular  times,  and  see  that  it  was 
properly  served,  the  following  being  "  the  daily  Al- 
lowance of  Provisions  to  the  Passengers  on  board 
the  "  Two  Brothers,"  Captain  William  Thomson, 
for  the  Town  of  Savannah  in  Georgia. 

"On  the  four  beef-days  in  each  week  for  every 
mess  of  five  heads  (computing  a  head  12  years  old, 
and  under  12  two  for  one,  and  under  7  three  for  one, 
and  under  2  not  computed").  4  Ibs.  of  beef  and  2-J- 
Ibs.  of  flour,  and  4  lb.  of  plums. 


Go  Tni;   MORAVIANS  IN   GKORGIA. 

''  On  the  two  pork  days  in  each  week  for  said 
mess,  5  Ibs.  of  pork  anil  2.1,  pints  of  peas. 

"  And  on  the  fish  day  in  each  week  for  said  mess, 
2.i-  Ibs.  of  fish  and  .1  Ib.  of  butter. 

'  The  whole  at  16  ounces  to  the  pound. 

"  And  allow  each  head  /  Ibs.  of  bread,  of  14 
ounces  to  the  pound,  by  the  week. 

"  And  3  pints  of  beer,  and  2  quarts  of  water 
(whereof  one  of  the  quarts  for  drinking-),  each  head 
by  the  day  for  the  space  of  a  month. 

"  And  a  gallon  of  water  (whereof  two  quarts  for 
drinking)  each  head,  by  the  day  after,  during  their 
being  on  their  Passage." 

Another  Moravian  was  chosen  as  nurse  of  the 
company,  although  it  happened  at  least  once  that 
he  was  incapacitated,  for  every  man  in  the  party  was 
sick  except  Spangenberg,  who  was  a  capital  sailor, 
and  not  affected  by  rough  weather.  His  endurance 
was  severely  tested  too.  for  while  the  breeze  at  times 
was  so  light  that  they  unitedly  prayed  for  wind, 
"thinking  that  the  sea  was  not  their  proper  element, 
for  from  the  earth  God  had  made  them,  and  on  the 
earth  lie  had  work  for  them  to  do,"  at  other  times 
storms  broke  upon  them  and  waves  swept  the  decks, 
filling  them  with  awe,  though  not  with  fear.  '  The 
wind  was  high,  the  waves  great,  we  were  happy  that 
we  have  a  Saviour  who  would  never  show  us  malice: 
especially  were  we  lull  of  joy  that  \ve  had  a  witness 
in  our  hearts  that  it  was  for  a  pure  purpose  we  sailed 
to  Georgia," — so  runs  the  quaint  record  of  one  tem- 
pestuous day. 

A  more  poetic  expression  of  the  same  thought  is 
given  by  Spangenberg  in  a  poem  written  during  the 


THE  FIRST  YEAR  ix  GEORGIA.  61 

voyage,  and  sent  home  to  David  Nitschmann  to  be 
set  to  the  music  of  some  "Danish  Melody"  known 
to  them  both.  There  is  a  beauty  of  rythm  in  the 
original  which  the  English  cannot  reproduce,  as 
though  the  writer  had  caught  the  cadence  of  the 
waves,  on  some  bright  day  when  the  ship  "  went 
softly  ''  after  a  season  of  heavy  storm. 

"  Gute  Liebe,  deine  Triebe 

Ziinden  unsre  Triebe  an, 
Dir  zu  leben,  dir  zu  geben. 

Was  ein  ]\[ensch  dir  geben  kann; 
Dcnn  dein  Lcben,  ist,  zu  geben 

Fried'  und  Segen  aus  der  Hoh. 
Und  das  Kranken  zu  versenken 

In  die  ungeheure  See. 

"  Herr  wir  \varen  von  den  Schaaren 

Deiner  Schaflein  abgetrennt ; 
Und  wir  liefen  zu  den  Tiefen, 

Da  das  Schwefelfeuer  brennt, 
Und  dein  Herze  brach  vor  Schmerze, 

Ueber  unsern  Jammerstand  ; 
O  wie  liefst  du  !  O  wie  rief  st  du  ! 

Bist  du  uns  zu  dir  gewandt. 

"  Als  die  Klarheit  deiner  \\rahrheit 

Unsern  ganzen  Gcist  durchgoss, 
Und  von  deinen  Liebesscheinen 

Unser  gauzes  Herz  zerfloss, 
( )  wie  regte  und  bewegte 

Dieses  deine  Liebesbrust, 
Uns  zu  hegen  und  zu  pflegen, 

Bis  zur  siissen  Himmelslust. 


62  Tllli    MORAVIANS    IN    GEORGIA. 

"  Dcin  Erbarmcn  \vird  tins  Armcn, 

Allc  Tage  \vieder  ncu, 
Mit  was  siisseu   Liebeskussen 

Zeigst  du  deine  MtiUertreu. 
O  wie  heilig  und  wic  trculich 

Leitest  du  dein  Eigcntum ; 
(  )  der  Gnadcn  dass  wir  A  laden 

Wcrdcn  dcine  Kron'  und  Ruhm. 

"Wir  empfehlen  unsre  Seelen 

Dcincm  Aug'  und  llerz  und  Hand, 

Dcnn  wir  wcrdcn  nur  auf  Erden 
Wallen  nach  dcni  \  aterland. 

0  gieb  Gnadc  auf  dcni  I 'fade, 

Der  zttm  Reich  durch  Leiden  fithrt, 
Ohn'  \  enveilen  fortzueilcn 
JSis  tins  deinc  Krone  zierl. 

"Unser  Willc  bk-ibe  stillc 

\\'enn  es  nocb  so  widrig  gehl ; 

.Lass  nur  bratisen.  wtiten,  satiscn, 
\\  as  von  Xord  und  (  >sten  \veht. 

l^ass  nur  stiirmen,  lass  sich  tiinnen 
Alle  Fluthcn  aus  dein  See, 

1  )u  erbliekesl  und  erquickcst 

Deine   Kinder  aus  der   1  I<")b'." 

(l.dve  Divine,  may  Tb\-  sweet  power 
Lead  us  all  for  Tbee  to  live, 

And  with  willing  hearts  to  give  Thee 
\\hnt  to  Thee  a  man  can  give: 

For  I rom  heaven  Thou  dost   uive  us 


THE  FIRST  YEAR  IN  GEORGIA.  63 

Peace  and  blessing,  full  and  free, 
And  our  miseries  dost  bury 
In  the  vast,  unfathomed  sea. 

Lord,  our  wayward  steps  bad  led  us 

Far  from  Thy  safe-guarded  fold, 
As  we  hastened  toward  the  darkness 

Where  the  sulphurous  vapors  rolled; 
And  Thy  kind  heart  throbbed  with  pity, 

Our  distress  and  woe  to  see, 
Thou  didst  hasten,  Thou  didst  call  us, 

Till  we  turned  our  steps  to  Thee. 

As  Thy  Truth's  convincing  clearness 

Filled  our  spirits  from  above, 
And  our  stubborn  hearts  were  melted 

P>y  the  fervor  of  Thy  love, 
O  Thy  loving  heart  was  moved 

Us  Thy  righteous  laws  to  teach, 
Us  to  guide,  protect  and  cherish 

Till  Thy  heaven  we  should  reach. 

"Without  merit  we,  yet  mercy 

Kach  returning  clay  cloth  bless 
With  the  tokens  of  Thy  goodness, 

Pledges  of  Thy  faithfulness. 
O  how  surely  and  securely 

Dost  Thou  lead  and  guard  Thine  own ; 
O  what  wonclerous  grace  that  mortals 

May  add  lustre  to  Thy  throne. 

Tn  our  souls  we  feel  the  presence 
Of  Thine  eve  and  heart  and  hand, 


64  THE  MORAVIANS  IN  GEORGIA. 

As  we  here  on  earth  as  pilgrims 
Journey  toward  the  Fatherland. 

O  give  grace,  that  on  the  pathway, 
Which  through  trial  leads  to  heaven, 

Without  faltering  \ve  may  hasten 
Till  to  each  Thy  crown  is  given. 

Though  our  path  he  set  with  danger 

Nothing  shall  our  spirits  shake. 
Winds  may  rage  and  roar  and  whistle, 

Storms  from  Xorth  and  East  may  break, 
Waves  may  roll  and  leap  and  thunder 

On  a  dark  and  threatening  sea, 
Thou  dost  ever  watch  Thy  children, 

And  their  strength  and  peace  wilt  be.) 

Before  the  vessel  sailed  the  Trustees  had  followed 
up  their  request  to  Spangenherg  by  requiring  the 
forty  Swiss  emigrants  to  promise  submission  to  his 
authority,  and  consequently  numerous  efforts  were 
made  to  be  of  service  to  them.  It  was  disappointing 
work,  in  a  way,  for  attempts  to  give  them  religious 
instruction  were  met  with  utter  indifference,  but 
their  material  needs  were  many.  There  was  a  great 
deal  of  sickness  among  them,  and  four  died,  being 
buried  hastily,  and  without  ceremony.  The  Mora- 
vians themselves  were  not  exempt,  several  being  dan- 
gcrouslv  ill  at  times,  even  Spangenberg  was  pros- 
trated, from  having,  he  supposed,  stayed  too  long  on 
deck  in  the  night  air.  tempted  thereto  by  the  beauty 
of  a  calm  night  in  a  southern  latitude.  P.ut  having 
work-  to  do  among  the  Swiss  on  the  following  day, 
he  roused  himself,  and  soon  became  better.  Two  of 


THE  FIRST  YEAR  IN  GEORGIA.  65 

the  Moravians  were  appointed  nurses  for  the  sick 
Swiss,  and  by  the  use  of  the  medicine  provided  by 
the  Trustees,  supplemented  by  unwearying  personal 
attention,  they  were  made  as  comfortable  as  possible. 

Nor  were  the  crew  forgotten.  From  the  day 
when  the  Aloravians  helped  lift  the  anchor  as  they 
sailed  from  the  coast  of  Dover,  they  busied  them- 
selves in  the  work  of  the  ship,  always  obliging,  al- 
ways helpful,  until  the  sailors  came  to  trust  them 
absolutely,  "  even  with  the  keys  to  their  lockers." 
When  the  cook  was  suddenly  taken  sick  they  nursed 
him  carefully,  and  then  appointed  two  of  their  num- 
ber to  carry  wood  and  water  for  him  until  his 
strength  returned,  and  it  is  no  wonder  that  such  ac- 
commodating passengers  were  wrell  regarded. 

Captain  Thomson  was  disposed  to  favor  them,  but 
when  they  realized  that  they  were  receiving  a  larger 
share  of  food  and  drink  than  went  to  the  Swiss,  they 
courteously  declined,  fearing  it  would  breed 
jealousy.  His  kindly  feeling,  however,  continued, 
and  when  Toltschig  was  ill  he  brought  a  freshly 
killed  fowl  from  which  to  make  nourishing  broth, 
and  on  another  occasion,  after  a  severe  attack  of  sea- 
sickness, they  all  derived  much  benefit  from  some 
strong  beer  which  he  urged  upon  them. 

There  were  a  few  cabin  passengers  on  the  ship, 
and  on  one  occasion  Spangenberg  was  invited  to 
dine  with  them,  but  their  light  jesting  was  distaste- 
ful to  him,  and  the  acquaintance  was  not  pursued. 

MAKING   A   START. 

The  vessel  entered  the  Savannah  River,  April  6th, 
and  the  Captain,  taking  Spangenberg  and  Toltschig 


66  THE  MORAVIANS  IN  GEORGIA. 

into  his  small  boat,  went  ahead  to  the  town  of  Savan- 
nah, the  capital  of  Georgia,  now  the  home  of  about 
six  hundred  people.  Spangenberg  had  a  letter  of 
introduction  to  Mr.  Causton,  who  received  him  and 
his  companion  in  a  friendly  fashion,  entertained 
them  at  supper,  and  kept  them  over  night.  Mr. 
Causton  was  one  of  the  three  magistrates  charged 
with  all  civil  and  criminal  jurisdiction  in  Savannah, 
and  his  position  as  keeper  of  the  Store,  from  which 
all  provisions  promised  by  the  Trustees  were  dis- 
pensed, gave  him  such  additional  power  that  he  was 
really  the  dictator  of  Savannah,  ruling  so  absolutely 
that  the  people  finally  rebelled,  and  in  1738  secured 
his  dismissal  from  office.  On  his  return  to  England 
in  1739,  he  found  great  difficulty  in  trying  to  explain 
his  accounts  to  the  Trustees,  was  sent  back  to 
Georgia  to  procure  some  needed  papers,  died  on  the 
passage  over,  and  was  buried  in  the  ocean.  His 
treatment  of  the  Moravians  was  characteristic,  for 
he  was  courtesy  itself  to  the  new-comers  who  had 
money  to  spend,  inconsiderate  when  hard  times 
came,  deaf  to  appeals  for  settlement  of  certain  vex- 
ing questions,  and  harsh  when  their  wills  were  op- 
posed to  his. 

The  nc-xi  morning,  before  sunrise,  Spangenberg 
and  Toltschig  went  apart  into  the  woods,  fell  upon 
their  knees,  and  thanked  the  Lord  that  He  had 
brought  them  hither  in  safety.  The  day  was  spent 
in  gaining  information  as  to  the  customs  of  the 
place,  Mr.  Causton  again  claiming  them  as  his 
guests  at  dinner,  and  in  the  evening  they  accepted 
the  invitation  of  a  merchant  to  supper.  As  they  ate, 
the  report  of  a  cannon  announced  the  arrival  of  their 


THE  FIRST  YEAR  IN  GEORGIA.  67 

vessel,  and  Toltschig  went  to  spend  the  night  aboard, 
Spangenberg  remaining  on  shore  to  push  the  prep- 
aration for  the  reception  of  the  company. 

Early  on  the  following  morning,  April  8th,  he  had 
their  town  lots  assigned,  (Nos.  3  and  4  Second 
Ty thing,  Anson  Ward),  in  order  that  their  baggage 
might  be  brought  directly  to  their  own  property,  for 
he  had  found  that  lodgings  in  the  town  were  verv 
dear,  and  decided  that  a  small  cabin  should  be  built 
at  once  and  a  house  as  soon  as  possible.  Going  then 
to  the  ship  he  guided  the  company  to  their  ne\v 
home,  and  the  entire  day  was  consumed  in  moving 
their  belongings  to  the  town,  as  it  was  some  distance, 
and  everything  had  to  be  carried  by  hand  to  the  little 
hut  which  \vas  hastily  erected  and  roofed  over  with 
sacking.  Evening  came  before  they  had  really  fin- 
ished the  arrangement  of  their  possesions,  but  be- 
fore they  prepared  and  shared  their  evening  meal, 
they  humbly  knelt  and  thanked  God  for  His  mercies, 
discussed  the  Bible  text  for  the  day,  and  joined  in 
several  familiar  hymns.  A  New  York  merchant 
stopped  and  asked  them  to  sing  one  of  his  favorites, 
which  was  done,  and  an  Indian  who  had  joined  them 
near  the  river  and  followed  them  home,  stayed 
through  the  service,  and  at  parting  beckoned  them  to 
come  and  visit  him.  Despite  their  fatigue,  the 
"Hourly  Intercession"  was  observed  throughout 
the  night,  their  slumbers  rendered  more  peaceful  by 
the  knowledge  that  one  and  another  in  turn  was 
watching  and  praying  beside  them. 

On  the  following  day  two  more  Indians  visited 
the  Moravians.  Their  faces  were  adorned  with 
streaks  of  red  paint,  and  they  seemed  very  friendly, 


c>8  Tim  MORAVIANS  IN  GICORGIA. 

rejoiced  over  the  gift  of  two  pewter  mugs,  and  on 
leaving  made  signs  that  some  one  should  go  with 
them,  an  invitation  that  could  not  then  he  accepted. 

The  loth  of  April,  the  first  Sunday  in  America, 
Spangenherg  attended  sen-ice  in  the  Knglish  Church, 
and  heard  a  sermon  on  the  text,  "  Be  not  overcome 
of  evil,  hut  overcome  evil  with  good,"  well  fitted  to 
he  the  watchword  of  the  Moravian  settlers  in  the 
trials  that  were  hefore  them. 

No  unpleasant  presentiments,  however,  troubled 
them,  as  they  went  busilv  about  their  work  during 
the  next  weeks.  Air.  Causlon  was  very  pleasant  to 
them,  selling  them  provisions  at  cost,  offering  them 
credit  at  the  store,  and  promising  Spangenberg  a  list 
of  such  Indian  words  as  he  had  been  able  to  learn 
and  write  down.  He  also  introduced  him  to  Tomo- 
chichi,  the  Indian  Chief,  and  to  John  Musgrove,  who 
had  n  successful  trading  house  near  the  town.  A'lus- 
grove  had  married  Mary,  an  Indian  princess  of  the 
Uchces,  who  had  great  influence  with  all  the  neigh- 
boring tribes.  At  a  later  time,  through  the  machina- 
tions of  her  third  husband,  she  made  much  trouble  in 
Georgia,  but  during  the  earlier  years  of  the  Colony 
she  was  the  true  friend  of  the  white  settlers,  fre- 
quently acting  as  Interpreter  in  their  conferences 
with  the  Indians,  and  doing  much  to  make  and  keep 
the  bond  of  peace  between  the  two  races. 

(  )n  the  1  ith  of  April  the  five  acre  garden  belong- 
ing to  Spangenberg  was  surveyed,  and  work  was  im- 
mcdiately  begun  there,  as  it  was  just  the  season  for 
planting  corn.  Xine  davs  later  Xitschmann's  gar- 
den was  laid  out  aside  of  Spangenberg's.  P>y  the 
T4th  the-  cabin  on  Spangenberg's  town  lot  was  fin- 


THE  FIRST  YEAR  IN  GEORGIA.  69 

ishcd.  It  was  twenty  feet  long,  ten  feet  wide,  and 
fourteen  feet  high,  with  a  little  loft  where  they  slept, 
their  goods,  with  a  table  and  benches  being  in  the 
room  below.  At  daybreak  they  rose,  sang  a  hymn, 
and  prayed  together,  breakfasted  at  eight  o'clock, 
the  daily  text  being  read  aloud,  then  worked  until 
half  past  eleven,  when  they  dined  and  read  the  Bible. 
More  work,  an  evening  prayer  service,  and  such 
conference  as  was  needed  that  each  might  engage  in 
the  next  day's  labor  to  the  best  advantage,  prepared 
them  for  their  well-earned  repose. 

With  this  simple  program  steadily  carried  out, 
much  was  accomplished.  A  fence  was  built  around 
a  small  kitchen-garden  on  their  town  property,  and 
a  chicken-yard  was  enclosed,  while  the  neighbors 
came  to  look  on  and  opine  "  that  the  Moravians  had 
done  more  in  a  week  than  their  people  in  two  years." 
As  the  gardens  (the  five  acre  lots)  lay  at  some  dis- 
tance from  Savannah,  a  hut  was  built  there,  to  serve 
as  a  shelter  against  sun  and  rain,  a  heavy  storm  hav- 
ing chased  them  home  one  day  snon  after  their  ar- 
rival. 

Either  from  the  noonday  heat,  or  other  conditions 
to  which  they  were  not  yet  acclimated,  Gotthard  De- 
muth  and  George  llaberland  became  seriously  ill, 
causing  Spangenberg  much  anxiety,  for  he  did  not 
feel  at  liberty  to  send  for  a  physician,  as  they  could 
not  afford  to  pay  for  medicine.  So  resort  was  had 
to  bleeding,  then,  an  approved  practice,  and  to  such 
medicine  as  remained  from  their  voyage,  and  Rose 
was  fortunate  enough  to  shoot  a  grouse,  which  gave 
them  some  much  needed  palatable  meat  and  broth. 
Perhaps  the  most  serious  case  was  Gottfried  Habe- 


jo  Tin-;  MORAVIANS  IN  GEORGIA. 

recht's,  who  suffered  lor  several  days  with  fever  re- 
sulting from  a  cut  on  his  leg.  Finally  oak-leaves  were 
heated  and  bound  about  the  limb,  which  induced  free 
perspiration  and  quickly  relieved  him,  so  that  he  was 
able  to  return  to  work  ! 

A  day  was  appointed  on  which  Spangenberg  and 
several  others  were  to  ride  out  into  the  country  to 
select  the  five  hundred  acre  tract  granted  to  Count 
Zinzcndorf,  and  the  additional  two  hundred  acres 
which  the  Trustees  had  promised  to  hold  in  reserve, 
and  grant  to  the  Count's  "  servants  "  whenever  he 
should  request  it,  but  there  was  rumor  of  a  raid  by 
hostile  Indians,  under  Spanish  intluencc,  so  the  ex- 
pedition had  to  be  postponed,  with  the  promise,  how- 
ever, that  it  should  be  made  as  soon  as  possible. 

By  the  close  of  the  third  week  in  Georgia  the  in- 
valids were  better,  and  matters  were  in  such  a  shape 
that  the  Moravians  resolved  "  that  on  each  Saturday 
work  should  stop  early,  and  every  Sunday  should  be 
a  real  da}-  of  rest."  As  an  immediate  beginning, 
they  on  Saturday  evening  united  in  a  Lovefeast, 
where  "  we  recalled  much  loving-kindness  which 
God  has  shown  us  hitherto;  Toltschig  washed  the 
feet  of  the  Brethren  :  we  remained  together  until 
very  late,  and  were  truly  blessed." 

A  I  M    AND   ATT  A  I  N  M  K  NT. 

When  the  "  first  company  "  left  ITcrrnhut  for  Lon- 
don and  the  Xcw  World,  they  took-  with  them  Count 
Zinzcndorf  s  formal  "  Instructions  "  for  the  conduct 
of  their  affairs  : 

T  shall  not  attempt  to  tell  you  what  you  are  to 
do  from  day  to  day.  I  know  that  in  many  ways 
Love  will  lead  you,  prepare  the  way,  and  point  out 


THE  FIRST  YEAR  IN  GEORGIA.  71 

your  path.  I  shall  only  bid  you  remember  the  prin- 
ciples and  customs  of  our  Congregation,  in  which, 
if  you  stand  fast,  you  will  do  well.  Your  one  aim 
will  be  to  establish  a  little  place  near  the  heathen 
where  you  may  gather  together  the  dispersed  in 
Israel,  patiently  win  back  the  wayward,  and  instruct 
the  heathen  tribes. 

"  You  have  and  will  ask  nothing  more  than  the 
opportunity  to  attain  this  end  through  your  own 
labors,  but  you  will  request  free  transportation  for 
yourselves  and  those  who  will  follow  you, — if  they 
receive  your  present  small  number  the  Lord  will  send 
you  more. 

"  If  you  should  be  tempted  to  injure  any  work  of 
the  Lord  for  my  sake,  refrain  from  doing  it,  remem- 
bering that  I  am  under  a  gracious  guardianship 
which  nothing  can  disturb. 

"'  You  will  take  absolutely  no  part  in  the  Span- 
genberg — Halle  controversy ;  you  know  the  mind  of 
the  Congregation  regarding  it.  If  you  find  people 
prejudiced  against  you  leave  it  to  Him  who  has  bid- 
den you  go  to  Georgia.  Enter  into  no  disputes,  but, 
if  questions  are  asked,  give  the  history  of  the  Con- 
gregation, being  careful  not  to  censure  our  opposers, 
and  saying,  which  is  true,  that  the  Congregation  at 
Herrnhut  gives  them  little  heed.  Entire  freedom  of 
conscience  must  be  granted  you.  but  there  may  be 
points  which  you  can  yield  without  injuring  the 
cause  of  Christ, — if  so  you  will  find  them  in  due 
time. 

"  You  must  live  alone,  establishing  your  own  lit- 
tle corner,  where  your  customs  will  irritate  no  one; 
and  as  soon  as  you  arc  settled  an  ordained  minister 


72  THIS  MORAVIANS  IN  GEORGIA. 

will  be  sent  you,  out  of  consideration  for  the  scruples 
of  the  Salzburgers,  although  our  Brethren  in  other 
Colonies  are  served  by  laymen,  as  permitted  by  our 
ancient  constitution. 

"  God  willing,  I  shall  soon  follow  you,  and  only 
wait  until  He  opens  the  way  for  me.  (Jur  dear 
Elder  ( Spangenberg)  will  quickly  return  from 
America,  and  in  his  absence  I  commit  you  to  the 
mighty  grace  of  God. 

Your  brother  and  servant, 

Lewis  Count  v.  Zinzendorf. 

"  At  this  time  one  of  the  Elders  at  Herrnhut. 
November  2/th,  1734. 

'  He  everywhere  hath  way, 
And  all  thing  serve  His  might,  etc.'  ' 

That  these  sensible  and  liberal  instructions  were 
not  fully  carried  out  is  at  once  apparent,  especially 
in  the  two  points  of  free  transportation  and  settle- 
ment in  a  quiet,  secluded  spot.  The  inability  of  the 
Trustees  to  grant  their  request  for  the  first,  burdened 
the  Moravian  colonists  with  what  was,  under  the 
circumstances,  a  heavv  debt,  while  the  location  of 
Zinzendorf's  five  hundred  acre  tract  was  respon- 
sible for  their  failure  in  attaining  the  second. 

When  Gen.  (  )glethorpe  planned  the  fortifications 
and  defense  of  Savannah  in  1733,  he  decided  to 
erect  a  small  fort  on  the  Ogeechee  River,  some  miles 
south,  in  order  to  command  one  of  the  trails  by 
which  the  Indians  had  been  accustomed  to  invade 
Carolina.  This  "  Fort  Argyle  "  wa_s  garrisoned  with 
a  detachment  of  range,  rs,  and  ten  families  were  sent 
from  Savannah  to  cultivate  the  adjacent  land.  The 
tract  selected  in  London  for  Count  Zinzendorf,  was 


THE  FIRST  YEAR  IN  GEORGIA.  73 

to  lie  on  the  Ogeechee,  near  Fort  Argyle,  an  excel- 
lent place  from  which  to  reach  the  Indians  in  times 
of  peace,  but  the  worst  possible  location  for  non- 
combatants  when  war  was  threatening. 

Spangenberg  urged  the  survey  of  the  five  hun- 
dred acre  tract  as  often  and  as  strongly  as  he  dared, 
but  from  various  causes,  chiciiy  rumors  of  Indian 
incursions,  the  expedition  was  deferred  until  Aug. 
22nd,  when  Spangenberg,  Toltschig,  Riedel,  Seifert, 
Rose,  Michael  Haberland,  and  Mr.  Johnson,  the 
Trustees'  surveyor,  prepared  to  start  on  their  toil- 
some journey,  going  by  boat,  instead  of  attempting 
to  follow  the  circuitous,  ill-marked  road  across  the 
country,  impassable  to  pedestrians,  though  used  to 
some  extent  by  horsemen. 

At  one  o'clock  in  the  morning  of  Aug.  23rd  the 
seven  men  embarked,  taking  advantage  of  the  ebb- 
ing tide,  and  made  their  way  down  the  Savannah 
River.  It  was  very  dark,  the  Moravians  were  unac- 
customed to  rowing,  and  Mr.  Johnson,  who  steered, 
went  to  sleep  time  after  time,  so  when  they  acci- 
dentally came  across  a  ship  riding  at  anchor  they 
decided  to  stay  by  her  and  wait  for  the  day.  When 
dawn  broke  they  hastened  on  to  Thunderbolt,  where 
a  fort  had  been  built,  and  some  good  land  cleared, 
and  there  they  found  two  Indians,  who  claimed 
to  know  the  country,  and  agreed  to  go  with  them  as 
pilots.  Toward  evening  they  reached  Seituah,* 
where  a  stockade  was  being  built  as  a  protection 
against  the  Indians,  and  the  night  was  spent  with  a 
Captain  Wargessen  ( Ferguson  ") .  who,  with  several 

*  On  Skidaway  Island,  exact  site  unknown. 


74  THE  MORAVIANS  IN  GEORGIA. 

soldiers,  was  out  in  a  scout  boat  watching  the  move- 
ments of  the  Indians  and  Spaniards  in  that  neigh- 
borhood. 

The  next  day  they  made  their  way  among  the 
islands  until  they  reached  the  mouth  of  the  Ogee- 
chee,  up  which  they  turned,  but  night  overtook 
them,  and  they  were  forced  to  drop  their  anchor. 
The  Indians  had  been  left  behind  somewhere,  and 
with  the  return  of  day  it  became  necessary  to  re- 
trace their  course  for  some  hours  in  order  to  learn 
where  they  were.  That  night  was  spent  at  Ster- 
ling's Bluff,  with  the  Scotch  who  had  settled  upon  it, 
and  the  next  morning  they  proceeded  to  Fort 
Argyle.  As  they  rowed  up  the  river,  a  bear  left 
one  of  the  islands,  and  swam  across  to  the  main 
land.  "  lie  was  better  to  us  than  we  to  him,  for 
Peter  shot  at  him  twice  when  he  came  near  us,  but 
he  left  us  in  peace  and  went  his  way!" 

The  following  morning  Spangenberg  and  John- 
son, accompanied  by  the  'Lieutenant  from  Fort 
Argyle  and  several  of  his  rangers,  rode  out  to  in- 
spect the  land  selected  for  the  Moravians.  The 
horses  were  accustomed  to  service  against  the 
Indians,  and  went  at  full  gallop,  pausing  not  foi 
winding  paths  or  fallen  trees,  and  the  University- 
bred  man  of  Germany  expected  momentarily  to 
have  bis  neck  broken,  but  nothing  happened,  and 
after  looking  over  the  tract  they  returned  to  Fort 
Argyle. 

Despite  the  exertions  of  the  morning  Spangen- 
berg then  manned  his  boat,  and  started  up  the  river 
<o  visit  an  Indian  town,  where  be  hoped  to  find 
Tomochichi.  Much  lloalinir  timber  rendered  the 


SOU  TH 


CAROLINA. 


CcmpesHe  Map, 
Icca  lit i  estf settle /H  e/it 
7?ie  n  ft /ties  in  brackets 
ffre  mff/fr/i, 


THE  FIRST  YEAR  IN  GEORGIA.  75 

trip  dangerous  and  tedious,  and  it  was  not  until 
early  Sunday  morning  that  they  reached  their  des- 
tination, only  to  find  the  place  deserted,  as  the  band 
had  left  a  few  days  before  for  a  hunting  expedition, 
and,  if  fortune  favored  them,  for  a  brush  with  the 
Spanish  Indians,  with  whom  they  had  a  perpetual 
feud.  Soon  Johnson  appeared,  guided  by  some  of 
the  rangers,  who,  after  a  hearty  meal  with  the 
Moravians,  returned  to  the  Fort,  Johnson  remaining 
behind. 

Monday  morning,  August  29th,  before  the  sun 
rose,  the  party  repaired  to  the  Moravian  tract,  which 
Johnson  surveyed,  the  Moravians  acting  as  chain- 
carriers.  Spangenberg  \vas  much  pleased  with  the 
tract.  It  had  a  half  mile  frontage  on  the  Ogeechee, 
extended  two  miles  back  into  the  forest,  and  gave  a 
good  variety  of  land,  some  low  and  damp  for  the 
cultivation  of  rice,  sandy  soil  covered  with  grass  for 
pasturage,  and  dry  uplands  suitable  for  corn  and 
vegetables.  A  rapid  stream  furnished  an  abundance 
of  pure  water,  and  site  for  a  mill,  while  the  thick 
growth  of  timber  guaranteed  a  supply  of  material 
for  houses  and  boats.  Near  the  river  rose  a  high 
hill,  where  it  had  once  been  the  intention  to  build  a 
fort,  and  a  house  had  really  been  erected.  This  the 
Indians  burned,  and  later  another  site  had  been 
chosen  for  Fort  Argyle,  but  the  place  retained  the 
name  of  ''  Old  Fort,''  and  the  hill  would  serve  as  the 
location  for  the  Moravian  dwelling. 

Indian  tribes  which  were  friendly  to  the  English 
lived  at  no  great  distance,  and  the  trail  to  Savannah 
and  Kbcnezer  led  directly  bv  Old  Fort,  while  the 


~6  TJIK  MORAVIANS  IN  GEORGIA. 

opening  of  two  roads  would  bring  both  those  towns 
within  a  four  hour's  ride  of  the  settlement. 

\\'ell  content,  therefore,  with  their  new  acquisi- 
tion, the  Moravians  returned  to  Fort  Argyle, 
\vhence  Johnson  rode  back  to  Savannah,  leaving 
them  to  follow  with  the  boat.  At  the  mouth  of  the 
Ogeechee  they  encountered  a  severe  storm,  against 
which  they  could  make  little  headway,  try  as  they 
would.  Their  anchor  was  too  light  to  hold  against 
the  current,  and  there  was  a  marsh  on  one  bank  and 
rocks  on  the  other,  but  at  last,  after  night-fall,  in 
the  face  of  a  terrific  thunder  storm,  they  forced  their 
way  to  a  place  where  they  could  land,  and  where 
they  passed  the  rest  of  the  night,  enduring  as  best 
they  could  the  heavy  rain,  and  the  attack  of  insects, 
against  neither  of  which  they  were  able  to  protect 
themselves.  "This  place  takes  its  name, — 'Rotten- 
possum,' — from  an  animal  frequently  found  here, 
which  tliev  call  a  Possum.  I  am  told  that  it  has  a 
double  bellv,  and  that  if  pursued  it  puts  its  young 
into  one  belly,  runs  up  a  tree  until  it  reaches  a  limb, 
springs  out  on  that  until  it  is  among  the  leaves,  and 
then  lays  itself  across  the  branch  with  one  belly  on 
each  side,  and  so  hides  itself,  and  saves  its  life!" 
The  rest  of  the  journey  was  uneventful,  and  on  Fri- 
day morning,  September  2nd,  they  reached  Savan- 
nah, having  been  absent  ten  days. 

It  seems  a  great  pity  that  the  Moravians  were 
unable  to  establish  themselves  on  this  tract,  where 
their  industrv  would1  soon  have  made  an  oasis  in 
the  wilderness,  but  one-  thing  after  the  other  inter- 
fered, and  the  "  second  company  "  which  arrived 


THE;  FIRST  YEAR  IN  GEORGIA.  77 

early  in  the  following  year,  found  them  still  at 
Savannah. 

In  Savannah  matters  moved  toward  a  fair  degree 
of  prosperity  for  the  Moravians.  About  four  acres 
of  Spangenberg's  garden  were  cleared  in  time  for 
the  first  summer's  crop  of  corn,  which  yielded  them 
sixty  bushels.  They  also  raised  some  beans,  which 
came  to  maturity  at  a  time  when  provisions  and 
funds  were  very  low,  so  helping  them  greatly. 

The  two  farm  lots  were  laid  out  during  the  sum- 
mer, Spangenberg  assisting  with  the  survey.  By 
the  close  of  the  year  twenty-six  acres  had  been 
cleared. — on  the  uplands  this  meant  the  felling  of 
trees,  and  gradual  removal  of  stumps  as  time  per- 
mitted, but  on  the  rice  lands  it  meant  far  more.  The 
great  reeds,  ten  to  twelve  feet  high,  grew  so  thick 
that  a  man  could  scarcely  set  foot  between  them, 
and  in  cutting  them  down  it  was  necessary  to  go 
"  knee-deep  "  below  the  surface  of  the  ground,  and 
then  the  roots  were  so  intertwined  that  it  was  diffi- 
cult to  pull  them  out. 

Even-  acre  of  land  that  was  cleared  and  planted 
had  to  be  securely  fenced  in,  for  cattle  roamed  in  the 
woods,  and  ruined  unprotected  crops.  Indeed,  the 
colonists  in  Georgia  derived  little  benefit  from  their 
cattle,  which  ran  at  large,  and  when  a  few  were 
wanted  for  beef  or  for  domestic  purposes,  they  were 
hunted  and  driven  in.  The  Moravians  had  to  wait 
until  midsummer  before  they  could  get  their  allot- 
ment, and  then  they  received  a  cow  and  calf,  six 
hogs  and  five  pigs,  with  the  promise  of  more.  Be- 


78  Tiiii  AloKAYiAxs  IN  GEORGIA. 

fore  the  others  came  the  cows  had  again  escaped 
to  the  woods,  and  the  swine  had  been  drowned ! 

In  July  Spangenberg  wrote  to  Herrnhut  that  he 
had  given  his  fifty  acres  of  land,  including-  tiie  town- 
lot,  to  the  Moravian  Congregation  at  Savannah,  and 
that  he  would  at  once  apply  to  the  Trustees  to  vest 
the  title  in  that  body,  and  if  he  left  Georgia  before 
this  was  accomplished  he  would  give  a  full  i'ower  of 
Attorney  to  Toltschig.  From  the  first  his  land  had 
been  used  as  the  common  property  of  the  party,  and 
he  desired  that  the  nine  men,  who,  with  him,  were 
bound  to  the  repayment  of  the  /no,  borrowed  from 
the  Trustees,  should  have  the  use  of  it  until  that 
obligation  was  met,  and  then  it  should  be  used  as 
the  Savannah  Congregation  thought  best. 

Nitschmann's  land  seems  to  have  been  held  in  a 
different  way,  although  granted  at  the  same  time, 
and  under  similar  circumstances.  July  nth,  Span- 
genberg sent  him  a  detailed  description  of  the  town 
and  garden  lots,  explaining  the  advantages  and  dif- 
ficulties of  cultivation,  suggesting  several  methods 
by  which  it  could  be  done,  and'  giving  the  approxi- 
mate cost,  urging  that  instructions  be  sent  as  to  his 
wishes.  Later  he  wrote  that  the  company  had  de- 
cided not  to  wait  for  Nitschmann's  reply,  but  to 
clear  the  garden  on  the  terms  usual  in  Georgia.  /'.  g. , 
that  the  man  who  cleared  a  piece  of  ground  held  it 
rent  free  for  seven  years,  when  it  reverted  to  the 
owner.  This  had  been  done,  and  the  garden  was 
ready  to  plant  and  fence,  and  if  Nitschmann  ap- 
proved they  intended  to  clear  the  farm,  and  would 
build  a  small  house  on  the  town  lot.  Zinzendorf 
had  suggested  that  negroes  be  employed  on  Xitsch- 


THE  FIRST  YEAR  IN  GEORGIA.  79 

mann's  land,  but  at  that  time  slavery  was  prohibited 
in  Georgia,  and  any  negroes  who  ran  away  from 
Carolina  were  at  once  returned  to  their  masters. 

The  two  farms  lay  side  by  side  about  four  miles 
from  Savannah,  the  gardens,  also  adjoining,  were 
about  two  miles  from  town,  so  it  was  necessary  to 
build  cabins  at  both  places,  as  shelters  from  sun  and 
storm,  which  the  settlers  found  equally  trying.  Two 
additional  cabins  had  been  built  in  Savannah  on 
Spangenbcrg's  lot,  and  by  the  end  of  the  year  a 
house,  thirty-four  by  eighteen  feet  in  size,  was 
under  roof,  though  not  yet  finished.  This  gave  an 
abundance  of  room,  not  only  for  themselves,  but  for 
the  second  company  to  whose  arrival  they  were 
looking  forward  with  such  eagerness. 

When  this  reinforcement  came  they  hoped  to 
move  to  Zinzendorf 's  tract,  and  then,  as  soon  as  they 
could  be  spared,  Demuth,  Haberecht,  Waschke  and 
the  two  Haberlands  wished  to  claim  the  twenty 
acres  apiece  which  the  Trustees  had  promised  to  the 
Count's  "  servants."  Riedel  was  of  the  same  mind, 
but  he  did  not  live  to  see  the  arrival  of  the  second 
company.  Some  months  after  reaching  Georgia,  he 
was  dangerously  ill  with  fever,  but  passed  the  crisis 
successfully,  and  recovered  his  full  strength.  He 
was  one  of  the  party  wrho  went  to  survey  Zinzen- 
dorf's  tract,  but  was  taken  sick  again  three  days 
after  the  boat  left  Savannah,  and  by  the  time  they 
returned  lie  was  obliged  to  go  to  bed,  and  soon  be- 
came delirious.  The  other  Moravians  were  greatly 
distressed,  but  could  do  nothing  except  nurse  him 
carefully  and  pray  for  him  earnestly,  and  toward  the 
end  his  mind  cleared,  though  his  bodv  had  lost  the 


80  TJIIC  MORAVIANS  IN  GEORGIA. 

power  to  recuperate.  He  died  on  the  3Oth  of  Sep- 
tembe--,  the  first  Moravian  to  "  fall  asleep  "  in  the 
I/nited  Stales,  though  others  had  given  up  their 
lives  for  the  mission  work  in  the  West  Indies.  His 
spiritual  condition  had  at  times  caused  much  con- 
cern to  Toltschig,  who  was  especially  charged  with 
the  religious  welfare  of  the  first  company,  many  of 
whom  had  been  under  his  care  in  Germany,  but  in 
the  main  he  had  been  an  earnest  man,  a  willing  and 
industrious  partaker  in  the  common  toil,  and  his 
death  caused  much  regret.  The  burial  customs  in 
Savannah  included  the  ringing  of  bells,  a  funeral 
sermon,  and  a  volley  of  musketry,  but  learning  that 
these  ceremonies  were  not  obligatory  the  Moravians 
declined  the  offer  of  the  citizens  to  so  honor  their 
Brothe^,  and  laid  him  to  rest  in  the  Savannah  ccrne- 
(ery  with  a  simple  service  of  hymns  and  prayer. 

As  the\"  were  robing  Riedcl  for  his  burial,  a  young- 
man  came  to  the  door,  and  asked  if  he  could  not 
make  them  some  pewter  spoons.  In  the  conversa- 
tions that  followed  it  developed  that  he  was  a  native 
of  Switzerland,  the  son  of  a  physician,  and  after  his 
father's  death  he  had  sailed  for  Pennsylvania,  in- 
tending there  to  begin  the  practice  of  medicine. 
Rut  his  fellow-passengers  stole  his  books  and  every- 
thing he  had.  he  was  unable  to  pay  for  his  transpor- 
tation, and  forced  to  sell  his  service  for  seven  years 
as  a  rcdcmptioner.  At  the  end  of  five  years  he  had 
become  quite  ill.  and  his  master,  having  waited  six 
months  for  his  recovery,  heartlessly  turned  him  out, 
to  live  or  die  as  the  case  might  be.  Instead  of  dy- 
ing, his  strength  returned,  and  then  his  former  mas- 
ter demanded  /io:  Pcnnsvlvania  currcncv,  for  his 


THE  FIRST  YEAR  IN  GEORGIA.  81 

unexpircd  term,  although  only  £5  :  had'  been  paid  for 
him.  and  he  had  served  five  years.  The  young  man 
\vas  obliged  to  promise  to  pay  this,  and  Spangen- 
berg  encouraged  him  to  push  his  spoon-making,  in 
order  to  do  it  as  speedily  as  possible.  Meanwhile 
the  Moravians  were  so  much  pleased  with  his  ap- 
pearance and  speech,  that  they  agreed  to  receive  him 
into  their  company  for  as  long  as  he  chose  to  stay, 
and  John  Regnier  soon  became  an  important  factor 
in  their  comfort.  Spiritually  he  was  somewhat  at 
sea.  At  one  time  he  had  desired  to  be  a  hermit,  and 
then  he  had  drifted  from  one  sect  to  another,  seek- 
ing something  which  he  could  not  find,  but  acquiring 
a  medley  of  odd  customs.  Spangenberg  advised 
him  to  turn  his  thoughts  from  men  to  God.  learning 
from  Him  ''  what  was  better  and  higher,  Faith, 
Love,  flope,  etc.,"  and  under  the  Moravian  in- 
fluence he  gradually  laid  aside  his  unwise  fancies, 
giving  them  encouragement  to  believe  that  he  would 
eventually  come  into  the  clearer  light,  as  they  knew 
it. 

In  material  things  John  Regnier  wras  of  great  as- 
sistance, owing  to  his  ability  to  turn  his  hand  to  al- 
most anything.  The  shoes  of  the  party  were  badly 
torn,  but  though  they  had  brought  leather  and  tools 
from  England  none  of  them  knew  the  cobbler's 
trade.  John  Regnier  had  never  made  a  shoe,  but  he 
took  it  up,  and  soon  provided  for  them  all,  and  then 
he  mended  their  clothing,  and  added  new  garments. 
He  also  showed  much  aptitude  for  nursing,  and 
Spangenberg  put  him  in  charge  of  several  cases. 
A  man  from  a  neighboring  village  sent  word  that 
he  had  severed  an  artery  and  could  not  check  the 


82  THIS  MORAVIANS  IN  GKUKGIA. 

bleeding,  and  asked  for  help.  Regnier  went  to  him, 
and  was  so  successful  in  his  treatment  that  in  two 
weeks  the  man  was  entirely  restored.  Some  one 
discovered  a  poor  Scotchman,  dying  with  dropsy, 
lying  utterly  neglected  upon  the  floor  of  a  miserable 
hut,  and  appeal  was  made  to  the  Moravians  to  take 
him  and  care  for  him.  They  did  so,  moving  him  to 
one  of  their  cabins,  where  they  made  him  a  bed,  and 
Regnier  nursed  him  until  death  ended  his  suffer- 
ings. Another  man  had  high  fever,  and  no  friends, 
and  him  also  the  Moravians  took,  and  cared  for.  the 
Trustee's  agent  furnishing  food  and  medicine  for 
the  sick,  but  offering  no  recompense  for  the  care 
they  received. 

Indeed,  as  the  months  passed  by,  the  Moravians 
established  a  reputation  for  charity  and  for  hospital- 
ity. Not  only  had  they  kept  free  of  dispute  with 
the  Salzburgcrs,  but  the  friendliest  relations  exist- 
ed, and  the  Moravian  cabins  were  always  open  to 
them  when  they  came  to  Savannah.  Xor  were  they 
slow  to  avail  themselves  of  the  kindness.  Gronau 
and  Bolzius  often  lodged  with  them,  and  others 
came  in  groups  of  nine  or  ten  to  spend  the  night. 
During  the  evening  stories  would  be  exchanged  as 
to  their  circumstances  in  the  home  lands,  and  their 
reasons  for  leaving  there,  and  then  sometimes  the 
hosts  would  spread  hay  upon  the  floor  for  their 
guests,  at  other  times  give  up  their  own  beds,  and 
themselves  sleep  upon  the  floor. 

With  their  nearer  neighbors  in  Savannah,  they 
were  also  upon  cordial  terms,  though  they  found 
few  who  cared  for  religious  things.  The  Jews  were 
particularly  courteous  to  them,  inviting  Spangen- 
berg  into  their  Synagogue,  and  bringing  gifts  of 


THE  FIRST  YEAR  IN  GEORGIA.  83 

meat  and  fish  on  several  occasions  when  help  was 
sorely  needed  on  account  of  the  illness  of  some 
of  their  number, — for  Riedel  was  not  the  only  one 
who  was  seriously  ill,  though  no  others  died.  All 
the  conditions  in  Georgia  were  so  different  from 
what  the}-  were  accustomed  to  in  German}-  that  it 
took  them  some  time  to  adapt  themselves,  and  longer 
to  become  really  acclimated,  and  they  noticed  that 
the  same  was  true  of  all  new-comers.  All  of  the 
Moravians  were  sick  in  turn,  many  suffering  from 
frosted  feet,  probably  injured  on  the  voyage  over, 
but  Spangenberg,  Toltschig,  Haberecht  and  De- 
muth  were  dangerously  ill.  Nearly  all  of  the  medi- 
cine brought  from  Europe  was  gone,  and  w7hat  they 
could  get  in  Savannah  was  expensive  and  they  did 
not  understand  how  to  use  it,  so  they  were  forced 
to  depend  on  careful  nursing  and  simple  remedies. 
Turpentine  could  easily  be  secured  from  the  pines, 
Spangenberg  found  an  herb  which  he  took  to  be 
camomile,  which  had  a  satisfactory  effect,  and  with 
the  coming  of  the  cooler  autumn  weather  most  of 
the  party  recovered  their  health. 

Probably  the  food  was  partly  responsible  for  their 
troubles,  though  they  tried  to  be  careful,  and  cooked 
everything  thoroughly.  Rice  and  salt-meat  were 
their  chief  articles  of  diet,  for  bread  cost  so  much 
that  they  soon  gave  it  up  entirely,  substituting  corn- 
meal  mush,  and  butter  was  so  dear  as  to  be  entirely 
out  of  the  question.  During  the  summer  months 
which  preceded  the  harvest,  they  could  get  neither 
corn,  rice  nor  beans  at  the  store,  so  lived  on  mush, 
salt-meat,  and  the  beans  they  themselves  had  plant- 
ed. Fresh  meat  was  a  great  treat,  particularly  when 
it  enabled  them  to  prepare  nourishing  broth  for  their 


84  THE  MORAVIANS  IN  GEORGIA. 

sick,  and  once  Rose  shot  a  stay,  giving  them  several 
good  meals,  but  this  happened  so  seldom  as  to  do 
little  toward  varying  the  monotony  of  their  fare. 

Drinking  water  was  held  to  be  responsible  for 
the  swollen  feet  and  nausea  from  which  many  of 
them  suffered,  so  they  made  a  kind  of  sassafras  beer, 
which  proved  palatable  and  healthful,  and  used  it 
until  they  had  become  accustomed  to  the  climate, 
when  they  were  able  to  drink  the  water. 

When  the  Moravians  came  to  Georgia  they 
brought  with  them  a  little  ready  money,  the  gift  of 
English  friends,  and  their  cash  payments  secured 
them  good  credit  at  the  Trustees'  store.  Other 
merchants  sought  their  patronage,  but  thcv  decided 
to  run  an  account  at  one  place  only,  and  thought 
Mr.  Causton,  as  the  Trustees'  agent,  would  give 
them  the  most  liberal  treatment.  tTheir  hardest 
time  financially,  as  well  as  regarding  health,  was 
during  the  summer,  when  credit  came  to  be  ac- 
corded grudgingly,  and  finally  Spangenberg,  per- 
sonally, borrowed  f  15  :  sterling,  and  applied  it  on 
their  account,  which  restored  their  standing  in  Mr. 
Can-ton's  eyes.  (  )n  Feb.  8th.  1736,  they  decided  to 
lm\  enough  corn,  rice  and  salt-meat  to  last  until 
harvest,  having  learned  by  sad  experience  how  very 
dear  these  necessities  were  later  in  the  year.  \  cry 
liitle  work  had  been  done  which  brought  in  ready 
money,  for  their  time  had  been  fullv  occupied  in 
building  their  house  and  clearing  the  land,  but  all 
things  were'  prepared  for  the  coming  of  the  second 
companv.  w't'n  whose  assistance  thcv  expected  to 
accomplish  much.  In  February  the  two  carpenters 
were  engaged  to  build  a  house  for  Mr.  Wagner,  a 
Swiss  gentleman  who  had  recentlv  arrived,  and 


THE  FIRST  YEAR  IN  GEORGIA.  85 

rented  one  of  the  Moravian  cabins  temporarily,  and 
this  was  the  beginning  of  a  considerable  degree  of 
activity. 

The  intercourse  of  the  Moravians  with  the  other 
residents  of  Savannah  was  much  impeded  by  their 
ignorance  of  the  English  language,  and  it  occurred 
to  Spangenberg  that  it  might  be  a  good  thing  to 
take  an  English  boy,  have  him  bound  to  them  ac- 
cording to  custom,  and  let  them  learn  English  by 
having  to  speak  to  him.  About  July  a  case  came  to 
his  knowledge  that  roused  all  his  sympathies,  and  at 
the  same  time  afforded  a  good  opportunity  to  try 
his  plan.  "  I  have  taken  a  four-year-old  English 
boy  into  our  family.  He  was  born  in  Charlestown, 
but  somehow  found  his  way  to  Savannah.  His 
father  was  hanged,  for  murder  I  have  heard,  and 
his  mother  has  married  another  man,  and  abandoned 
the  child.  A  woman  here  took  charge  of  him,  but 
treated  him  most  cruelly.  Once  she  became  angry 
with  him,  took  a  firebrand,  and  beat  him  until  half 
his  body  was  burned;  another  time  she  bound  him, 
and  then  slashed  him  with  a  knife  across  the  back, 
and  might  have  injured  him  still  more  if  a  man  had 
not  come  by  and  rescued  him.  The  magistrates  then 
gave  him  to  other  people,  but  they  did  not  take  care 
of  him,  and  hearing  that  he  was  a  bright  child,  I 
decided  to  offer  to  take  him.  The  Magistrates  glad- 
ly agreed,  and  will  write  to  his  relatives  in  Charles- 
town,  and  if  they  do  not  claim  him  he  will  be  bound 
to  us.  He  is  already  proving  useful  to  the  Breth- 
ren, as  he  speaks  English  to  them,  and  they  are  rap- 
idly learning  to  speak  and  to  understand.  I  am 
sending  him  to  an  English  school,  as  I  would  rather 


80  Tni;  MORAVIANS  IN  GEORGIA. 

he  would  not  learn  German,  but  being  bright  he  is 
learning  a  good  deal  of  it  from  the  Brethren." 

On  October  3ist  a  widow  and  her  seven-year-old 
son  were  received  into  their  household.  The  wo- 
man was  in  destitute  circumstances,  and  anxious  to 
work,  so  after  four  weeks'  trial  she  was  installed 
as  maid,  and  promised  $14.00  a  year  w-ages.  She 
proved  to  be  quiet  and  in.histrious,  but  not  very 
bright.  On  Dec.  i/th  ancther  boy,  six  years  old, 
was  taken,  his  mother  being  dead,  and  his  father  a 
day-laborer  who  conl;l  not.  rare  lor  him. 

Of  the  Indians  the  Moravians  had  seen  a  good 
deal,  but  no  start  had  been  made  toward  teaching 
them,  except  that  some  of  their  words  had  been 
learned.  Spangenberg  decided  that  the  only  way  to 
master  their  language  would  be  to  go  and  live 
among  them,  and  this  Rose  professed  himself  will- 
ing to  do  as  soon  as  he  could  be  spared.  With 
Tomochichi  they  were  much  pleased.  "He  is  a 
grave,  wise  man,  resembling  one  of  the  old  Philoso- 
phers, though  with  him  it  is  natural,  not  acquired. 
Were  he  among  a  hundred  Indians,  all  clothed  alike, 
one  would  point  him  out  and  say,  '  that  is  the 
king.'  '  When  the  Indians  came  to  the  Moravian 
cabins  they  vcre  courteously  received,  and  supplied 
\\ith  food  and  drink,  often  remaining  as  silent  list- 
eners at  the  evening  service.  In  turn  their  good 
will  took  the  form  of  a  gift  of  grouse  or  dried  veni- 
son, which  the  Moravians  gratefully  received. 

The  Knglish  were  very  anxious  to  keep  the 
friendship  of  these  Indians,  on  whom  much  of  their 
safety  depended,  and  when  one  of  the  nations  came 
five  or  six  hundred  miles  to  renew7  a  treaty  with 


THE  FIRST  YEAR  IN  GEORGIA.  87 

them,  they  planned  a  spectacle  which  would  at  once 
please  and  impress  them.  All  the  settlers  were  put 
under  arms,  and  led  out  to  meet  them,  saluting  them 
with  a  volley  of  musketry.  With  great  pomp  they 
were  conducted  into  the  town,  presented  with  guns, 
clothing,  etc.,  and  then,  through  an  interpreter,  they 
were  assured  of  the  good  will  and  faith  of  the  Eng- 
lish, and  urged  to  be  true  to  the  treaty,  and  protect 
the  settlement  against  those  Indian  tribes  who  were 
under  PVench  and  Spanish  influence. 

Spangenberg  was  ordered  out  with  the  others, 
but  excused  himself  on  the  ground  of  weakness 
from  his  recent  illness,  and  when  the  officials  offered 
to  depart  from  their  custom,  and  allow  one  of  Zin- 
zendorf  's  "  servants  "  to  take  his  place,  he  explained 
that  the  Moravians  did  not  understand  English,  and 
knew  nothing  of  military  manoeuvres.  During  the 
first  year  the  question  of  military  service  was  not 
sufficiently  prominent  to  cause  real  uneasiness,  but 
Spangenberg  foresaw  trouble,  and  wrote  to  Herrn- 
hut,  urging  that  the  matter  be  given  serious  con- 
sideration. 

When  the  Moravians  passed  through  London 
they  had  fully  explained  their  position  to  Gen.  Ogle- 
thorpe,  who  promised  them  exemption,  but  they  had 
no  written  order  from  the  Trustees  to  show  to  the 
local  officials,  and  not  even  a  copy  of  the  letter  in 
which  reference  to  the  subject  was  made.  As  Count 
Zinzendorf's  "servants"  nine  of  them  were  ineli- 
gible, but  Spangenberg,  as  a  free-holder,  was  ex- 
pected to  take  part  in  the  weekly  drill,  which  he 
quietly  refused  to  do. 

All   free-holders  were  likewise  expected  to  take 


88  THE  MORAVIANS  IN  GEORGIA. 

their  turn  in  the  Watch,  composed  of  ten  men,  who 
patrolled  the  town  by  night  and  day.  Spangenberg 
admitted  that  the  Watch  was  necessary  and  proper, 
but  decided  that  he  had  better  not  take  a  personal 
share  in  it,  other  than  by  hiring  some  one  to  take 
his  place,  which  was  permitted.  As  the  turn'  came 
every  seventeen  days,  and  a  man  expected  fifty  cents 
for  day  and  one  dollar  for  night  duty  each  time, 
this  was  expensive,  doubly  so  because  the  officers  de- 
manded a  substitute  for  the  absent  Nitschmann  also. 
Twice  had  Spangenberg  been  before  the  Court,  at- 
tempting- to  have  the  matter  adjusted,  but  he  found 
that  this,  like  many  other  things,  could  not  be  set- 
tled until  Gen.  Oglethorpe  came.  "  All  men  wait 
for  Gen.  Oglethorpe,  it  is  impossible  to  describe  how 
they  long  for  him."  The  Salzburgers  especially 
wished  for  him,  for  they  did  not  like  the  place  where 
they  had  settled,  and  wanted  permission  to  move  to 
a  more  favorable  location  which  they  had  chosen. 

On  the  1 4th  of  February,  1736,  Capt.  Thomson 
arrived,  bringing  letters  from  England,  and  one  to 
Spangenberg  announced  that  the  second  company 
of  Moravians  was  on  the  way  and  might  soon  be  ex- 
pected. At  three  o'clock  in  the  morning  of  Febru- 
ary i /th,  the  town  was  roused  by  the  sound  of  bells 
and  drums.  Thinking  it  meant  fire,  the  Moravians 
rushed  out,  but  learned  that  Gen.  Oglethorpe's  ship 
had  reached  Tybee,  and  the  people  were  awakened 
to  welcome  him.  Full  of  interest  to  learn  whether 
the  second  company  was  with  him  the  Moravians 
paused  for  a  hasty  meal  before  going  to  meet  the 
ship,  when  to  their  great  joy  Bishop  Nitschmann 
appeared  before  them,  "  and  his  face  was  to  us  as 
the  face  of  an  Angel !" 


CHAPTER  IV. 
REINFORCEMENTS. 

Till;    "  SECOND   COMPANY." 

Before  David  Nitschmann,  the  "  Hausmeister," 
left  London,  after  the  sailing  of  the  first  Moravian 
company  for  Georgia,  he  presented  to  the  Trustees 
a  series  of  propositions,  the  acceptance  of  which 
would  open  the  way  for  a  large  increase  of  Mora- 
vian emigration.  The  proposals  were,  in  brief,  that 
the  Trustees  should  give  credit  to  the  Moravians  to 
the  extent  of  £500  sterling,  which,  deducting  the 
£60  advanced  to  the  first  company,  would  provide 
passage  money  and  a  year's  provision  for  fifty-five 
more  of  Count  Zinzendorf's  "  servants/'  the  loan  to 
be  repaid,  without  interest,  in  five  years,  and  to  bear 
interest  at  the  usual  rate  if  payment  was  longer  de- 
ferred. He  also  suggested  that  the  money,  when 
repaid,  should  be  again  advanced  for  a  like  purpose. 

In  addition  he  requested  that  each  man  of  twenty- 
one  years,  or  over,  should  be  granted  fifty  acres  near 
Count  Zinzendorf's  tract. 

The  Trustees  were  pleased  to  approve  of  these 
proposals,  and  promised  the  desired  credit,  with  the 
further  favor  that  if  the  debt  was  not  paid  within 
five  years  it  should  draw  interest  at  eight  per  cent. 
only,  instead  of  ten  per  cent.,  the  customary  rate  in 
South  Carolina. 

During  the  summer,  therefore,  a  second  company 
prepared  to  follow  the  pioneers  to  the  New  World. 


90  TlllS   MORAVIANS   IN    GEORGIA. 

On  the  5th  of  August,  1/35,  two  parties  left  lierrn- 
nut,  one  consisting  of  three  young  men,  and  the 
other  of  thirteen  men,  women  and  children,  who 
were  joined  at  Leipzig  by  Jonas  Korte,  who  went 
with  them  to  London.  On  August  8th,  live  more 
persons  left  Herrnhut,  under  the  leadership  of 
David  Nitschmann,  the  Bishop,  who  was  to  take  the 
second  company  to  Georgia,  organize  their  congre- 
gation, and  ordain  their  pastor. 

This  David  Nitschmann,  a  carpenter  by  trade,  was 
a  companion  of  David  Nitschmann,  the  "Hausmeis- 
ter,"  and  John  Toltschig,  when  they  left  Moravia  in 
the  hope  of  re-establishing  the  Unitas  Fratrum,  and 
with  them  settled  at  Herrnhut,  and  became  one  of 
the  influential  members  of  the  community.  When 
missionaries  were  to  be  sent  to  the  Danish  West 
Indies,  Nitschmann  and  Leonard  Dober  went  on 
foot  to  Copenhagen  (August  2ist,  1732^,  and  sailed 
from  there,  Nitschmann  paying  their  way  by  his 
work  as  ship's  carpenter.  By  the  same  handicraft 
he  supported  himself  and  his  companion  for  four 
months  on  the  island  of  St.  Thomas,  where  they 
preached  to  the  negro  slaves,  and  then,  according  to 
previous  arrangement,  he  left  Dober  to  continue  the 
work,  and  returned  to  Germany.  In  1735,  it  was 
decided  that  Bishop  Jablonski,  of  Berlin,  and 
Bishop  Sitkovius,  of  Poland,  who  represented  the 
Episcopate  of  the  ancient  Unitas  Fratrum,  should 
consecrate  one  of  the  members  of  the  renewed 
Unitas  Fratrum  at  J  lerrnhut,  linking  the  Church  of 
the  Fathers  with  that  of  their  descendents,  and  en- 
abling the  latter  to  send  to  the  Mission  field  minis- 
ters whose  ordination  could  not  be  questioned  by 
other  denominations,  or  by  the  civil  authorities. 


REINFORCEMENTS.  91 

David  Nitschmann,  then  one  of  the  Elders  at 
Hcrrnhut,  was  chosen  to  receive  consecration,  the 
service  being  performed,  March  13th,  by  Bishop 
Jablonski,  with  the  written  concurrence  of  Bishop 
Sitkovius. 

The  three  parties  from  Herrnhut  met  at  Magde- 
burg- on  August  1 3th,  proceeding  from  there  to 
Hamburg  by  boat,  and  at  Altona,  the  sea-port  of 
Hamburg,  they  found  ten  more  colonists  who  had 
preceded  them.  Here  also  they  were  joined  by 
Christian  Adolph  von  Hermsdorf,  who  went  with 
them  to  Georgia  as  "a  volunteer."  Apparently 
Lieutenant  Hermsdorf  wanted  the  position  of  Zin- 
zendorf's  Agent  in  Georgia,  for  the  Count  wrote  to 
him  on  the  Kjth  of  August,  agreeing  that  he  should 
go  with  the  Moravians,  at  their  expense,  but  saying 
that  if  he  desired  office  he  must  first  prove  himself 
worthy  of  it  by  service  with  and  for  the  others,  even 
as  the  Count  had  always  done.  If  the  reports  from 
Georgia  justified  it,  the  Count  promised  to  send  him 
proper  powers  later,  and  to  find  a  good  opportunity 
for  his  wrife  to  follow  him.  Rosina  Schwarz  and 
her  child,  who  had  come  with  them  to  Hamburg  to 
meet  her  husband,  returned  with  him  to  their  home 
in  Holstein ;  and  on  account  of  Rosina  Neubert's 
serious  illness,  she  and  her  husband  reluctantly 
agreed  to  leave  the  company,  and  wait  for  another 
opportunity  to  go  to  Georgia.  In  1742  they  carried 
out  their  intention  of  emigrating  to  America, 
though  it  was  to  Pennsylvania,  and  not  to  Georgia. 

The   "  second   company,''   therefore,   consisted  of 
twenty-five  persons : 

David  Nitschmann,  the  Bishop. 

Christian  Adolph  von  Hermsdorf,  a  volunteer. 


y2  TJIJC  MORAVIAN'S  IN  GEORGIA. 

John  Andrew  Dober,  a  potter. 

David  Zeisberger. 

David  Tanneberger,  a  shoemaker. 

John  Tanneberger,  son  of  David,  a  boy  of  ten 
years. 

George  Xeisser. 

Augustin  Neisser,  a  young  lad,  brother  of  George. 

Henry  Reseller,  a  linen-weaver. 

David  Jag. 

John  Michael  Meyer,  a  tailor. 

Jacob  Frank. 

John  Martin  Mack. 

Matthias  Seybold,  a  farmer. 

Gottlieb  Demuth. 

John  JJohner,  a  carpenter. 

Matthias  Bohnish. 

Maria  Catherine  Dober,  wife  of  John  Andrew 
Dober. 

Rosina  Zeisberger,  wife  of  David  Zeisberger. 

Judith  Toltschig,  Catherine  Riedel,  Rosina  Habe- 
rccht,  Rcgina  Demuth,  going  to  join  their  husbands 
already  in  Georgia. 

Anna  Waschke,  a  widow,  to  join  her  son. 

Juliana  Jaschke,  a  seamstress.* 

During  an  enforced  stay  of  three  weeks  at  Altona, 
the  Moravians  experienced  much  kindness,  espe- 
cially at  the  hands  of  Korte  and  his  family,  and 
Mrs.  Weintraube.  the  daughter  of  a  Mennonite 
preacher,  who  had  come  from  her  home  in  London 
on  a  visit  to  her  father.  15 y  this  time  the  Moravian 
settlement  at  Ilerrnhut  was  coming  to  be  well  and 


*  Fifteen  of  those   colonists  wore  originally   from   Moravia  and 
Bohemia 


Rlii  N  1'OKC  li  M  1C  X  X  S.  93 

favorably  known  in  Holland,  and  every  visit  won 
new  friends,  many  of  whom  came  into  organic  fel- 
lowship with  them.  A  few  years  later,  when  the 
Unitas  Fratrum  was  confronted  by  a  great  financial 
crisis,  it  was  largely  the  loyalty  and  liberality  of 
the  Dutch  members  that  enabled  it  to  reach  a  posi- 
tion of  safety. 

On  the  Qtli  of  September,  the  company  went 
aboard  an  English  boat,  homeward  bound,  but  con- 
trary winds  held  them  in  port  until  the  I3th,  and  it 
was  not  until  Sunday,  Oct.  2nd,  that  they  reached 
London,  after  a  long  and  stormy  crossing,  which 
gave  many  of  them  their  first  experience  of  sea- 
sickness. 

Xitschmann  and  Korte  at  once  went  ashore  to  re- 
port their  arrival  to  Secretary  Verelst,  and  on  Mon- 
day a  house  was  rented,  and  the  twenty-five  colo- 
nists and  Jonas  Korte  moved  into  it,  to  wait  for  the 
sailing  of  ('.en  Oglethorpc's  ship,  the  General  having 
offered  them  berths  on  his  own  vessel.  The  Gen- 
eral was  out  of  town  when  they  reached  London, 
but  called  on  Monday  evening,  and  showed  them 
every  kindness, — "Oglethorpe  is  indeed  our  good 
friend,  and  cares  for  us  like  a  father." 

Nitschmann  found  a  good  deal  of  difficulty  on  ac- 
count of  the  language,  for  he  could  not  speak  Latin, 
as  Spangenberg  had  done,  and  knew  no  English,  so 
that  all  of  his  conversations  with  Oglethorpe  had  to 
be  carried  on  through  an  interpreter ;  nevertheless  a 
number  of  important  points  were  fully  discussed. 

On  the  question  of  military  service  he  could  reach 
no  definite  and  satisfactorv  conclusion,  and  thought 

'*'  o 

it  a  great  pity  that  there  had  not  been   a  perfect 
7 


94  THE  MORAVIANS  IN  GEORGIA. 

mutual  understanding  between  Zinzendorf  and  the 
Trustees  before  the  first  company  sailed.  That  Zin- 
zendorf's  "  servants  "  should  be  free  from  military 
service  was  admitted  by  all.  but  Oglethorpe  thought 
three  men  must  be  furnished  to  represent  Zinzen- 
dorf, Spangenberg  and  Xitschmann  ( the  Hausmeis- 
terj.  the  three  free-holders,  and  suggested  that 
Lieutenant  Hermsclorf  might  take  one  place. 
Xitschmann  said  that  would  not  do.  that  the  Mora- 
vians "  could  not  and  would  not  fight."  and  there 
the  matter  rested.  Xitschmann  wrote  to  Zinzen- 
dorf. begging  him  to  come  tu  London,  and  interview 
the  Trustees,  but  advised  that  he  wait  for  Ogle- 
thorpe's  return  from  Georgia  some  nine  months 
later. 

(  )n  this  account  the  members  of  the  second  com- 
pany agreed  that  it  would  be  better  for  them  not  to 
accept  land  individually,  but  to  go.  as  the  others  had 
done,  as  Zinzendorf 's  "servants."  to  work  on  his 
tract.  Oglcthorpc  suggested  that  an  additional  five 
hundred  acres  should  be  requested  for  Count  Zin- 
zendorf's  son,  and  Xitschmann  referred  the  pro- 
posal to  the  authorities  at  Ilerrnhut.  In  regard  to 
the  five  hundred  acre  tract  alreadv  granted,  the  Gen- 
eral said  that  it  had  been  located  near  the  Indians, 
at  the  Moravians'  request,  but  that  settlers  there 
would  be  in  no  danger,  for  the  Indians  were  at 
peace  with  the  English,  there  was  a  fort  near  bv. 
and  besides  he  intended  to  place  a  colony  of  Salz- 
burgcrs  fifty  miles  further  south,  when  the  Mora- 
vians would  be.  not  on  the  border  but  in  the  center 
of  Georgia. 

Gen.   <  )glethorpe  assured    Xitschmann  that  there 


REINFORCEMENTS.  95 

would  be  no  trouble  regarding  the  transfer  of  title 
to  the  Georgia  lands,  for  while,  for  weighty  reasons, 
the  grants  had  been  made  in  tail  male,  there  was  no 
intention,  on  the  part  of  the  Trustees,  to  use  this  as 
a  pretext  for  regaining  the  land,  and  if  there  was 
no  male  heir,  a  brother,  or  failing  this,  a  friend, 
might  take  the  title.  (In  1739  the  law  entailing 
property  in  Georgia  was  modified  to  meet  this  view, 
and  after  1/50,  all  grants  were  made  in  fee  simple.) 
lie  also  explained  that  the  obligation  to  plant  a  cer- 
tain number  of  mulberry  trees  per  acre,  or  forfeit 
the  land,  was  intended  to  spur  lazy  colonists,  and 
would  not  be  enforced  in  the  case  of  the  [Moravians. 

Xitschmann  told  Gen.  Oglethorpe  of  the  wives 
and  children  who  had  been  left  in  Herrnhut,  and 
suggested  the  advisability  of  establishing  an  English 
School  for  them,  that  the}'  might  be  better  fitted  for 
life  in  Georgia.  Oglethorpe  liked  the  idea,  and, 
after  due  consideration,  suggested  that  some  one  in 
Herrnhut  who  spoke  French  or  Latin,  preferably 
the  latter,  should  be  named  as  Count  Zinzendorf's 
Agent,  to  handle  funds  for  the  English  school,  and 
to  accompany  later  companies  of  Georgia  colonists 
as  far  as  London,  his  expenses  to  be  paid  by  the 
Trustees.  Of  this  the  Trustees  approved,  and 
donated  £40  sterling,  partly  for  Xitschmann's  use  in 
London,  and  the  balance, — about  £4  it  proved  to 
be, — for  the  Herrnhut  school.  An  English  gentle- 
man also  gave  them  ±32,  with  the  proviso  that  with- 
in lour  years  they  in  turn  would  give  an  equal 
amount  to  the  needy,  which  Xitschmann  readily 
agreed  should  be  done. 

Various  other  gifts  must  have  been  received,  for 


96  THE  MORAVIANS  IN  GEORGIA. 

when  the  company  sailed,  Nitschmann  reported  to 
Count  Zinzendorf  that,  without  counting  a  consid- 
erable amount  which  Korte  had  generously  expend- 
ed on  their  behalf,  they  had  received  £115  in  Lon- 
don, and  had  spent  £113.  "  This  will  seem  much  to 
you,  but  when  you  look  over  the  accounts,  and  con- 
sider the  number  of  people,  and  how  dear  everything 
is,  you  will  understand."  Unfortunately  the  colo- 
nists had  left  Herrnhut  without  a  sufficient  quantity 
of  warm  clothing,  thinking  that  it  would  not  be 
needed,  but  letters  from  Georgia  gave  them  quite 
new  ideas  of  the  climate  there,  and  they  were  forced 
to  supply  themselves  in  London,  though  at  double 
what  it  would  have  cost  in  Germany. 

In  addition  to  these  expenditures,  the  second  com- 
pany borrowed  from  the  Trustees  the  funds  for 
their  passage  to  Georgia,  and  a  year's  provision 
there,  binding  themselves  jointly  and  severally  to 
repay  the  money,  the  bond,  dated  Oct.  26th,  1735, 
being  for  the  sum  of  £453 :  7 :  6:,  double  the  amount 
of  the  actual  debt.  This  included 

Passage  for  16  men,  8  women  and  I 

boy,  25  persons,  24 J-  "  heads  '' £122:  10:  o 

25   sets  of  bed-clothes 6:     5:0 

i  year's  provisions  in  Georgia,  being 
12  bushels  Indian  Corn,  100  Ibs. 
Meat,  30  Ibs.  Butter,  i  bushel  Salt, 
27  Ibs.  Cheese,  per  head 64 :  6:3 

Advanced  in  London  for  necessaries.  .  .      33:    12:  6 


£226:   13:9 

This  was  to  be  repaid  in  five  years,  drawing  eight 
per  cent,  interest  after  three  years,  further  security 


REINFORCEMENTS.  97 

to  be  given  within  twelve  months  if  requested  by  the 
Trustees  or  their  Agent ;  and  any  provisions  not 
used  to  be  credited  on  their  account. 

In  the  matter  of  forming  new  acquaintances  in 
London,  the  second  company  was  far  less  active 
than  the  first  had  been,  Spangenberg's  standing  and 
education  having  given  him  access  to  many  people, 
attracting  their  attention  to  his  companions.  The 
second  company  profited  by  the  friends  he  had 
made,  Mr.  Wynantz  especially  devoting  himself  to 
their  service,  and  while  Nitschmann  and  his  asso- 
ciates did  not  reach  many  new  people,  they  inspired 
the  respect  and  confidence  of  those  whom  Spangen- 
berg  had  introduced  to  the  Moravian  Church,  and 
so  strengthened  its  cause.  A  carpenter  from  Wit- 
tenberg, Yollmar  by  name,  who  was  attracted  to 
them,  requested  permission  to  go  to  Georgia  with 
them,  although  not  at  their  expense,  and  to  this  they 
agreed.  A  number  of  Salzburgers  who  were  to  go 
to  Georgia  with  General  Oglethorpe,  though  not  on 
the  same  ship,  wrere  under  the  leadership  of  the 
young  Baron  von  Reck  with  whom  Zinzendorf  had 
corresponded  during  the  early  stages  of  the  Mora- 
vian negotiations,  and  the  Baron  called  on  the  sec- 
ond company  several  times,  offered  to  assist  them  in 
any  way  in  his  power,  and  expressed  the  wish  that 
the  Moravians  and  Salzburgers  could  live  together 
in  Georgia.  Nitschmann  doubted  the  wisdom  of 
the  plan,  but  courteously  agreed  to  refer  it  to  Zin- 
zendorf, who,  however,  refused  his  sanction. 

On  the  1 2th  of  October,  the  Moravians  went 
aboard  Gen.  Oglethorpe's  ship,  the  Simmonds,  Ca.pt. 
Cornish,  where  they  were  told  to  select  the  cabins 


98  THE  MORAVIANS  IN  GEORGIA. 

they  preferred,  being  given  preference  over  the  Eng- 
lish colonists  who  were  going.  The  cabins  contain- 
ed bare  bunks,  which  could  be  closed  when  not  in 
use,  arranged  in  groups  of  five, — three  below  and 
two  above, — the  five  persons  occupying  them  also 
eating  together.  The  Moravions  chose  their  places 
in  the  center  of  the  ship,  on  either  side  of  the  main 
mast,  where  the  ventilation  was  best,  and  there 
would  be  most  fresh  air  when  they  reached  warmer 
latitudes.  "  The  number  of  people  on  the  ship  is 
rather  large,  for  we  are  altogether  one  hundred  and 
fifty  who  are  going  to  Georgia,  but  besides  our- 
selves they  are  all  Englishmen."  "  Many  of  them 
are  like  wild  animals,  but  we  have  resolved  in  all 
things  to  act  as  the  children  of  God,  giving  offence 
to  no  one,  that  our  purpose  be  not  misconstrued." 

After  seeing  his  companions  comfortably  settled 
on  the  vessel,  Nitschmann  returned  to  his  numerous 
tasks  in  London.  On  the  24th,  he  came  back  to  the 
ship,  accompanied  by  Korte,  who  bade  them  an  af- 
fectionate farewell.  By  the  2/th  all  of  the  passen- 
gers, including  Gen.  Oglethorpe,  were  on  board,  but 
it  was  not  until  the  afternoon  of  October  3ist,  that 
the  Simmonds  sailed  from  Gravesend. 

FOUR    JOURNALS. 

On  the  Simmonds,  as  she  sailed  slowly  down  the 
Thames  on  her  way  to  Georgia,  there  were  foui 
Englishmen,  with  whom  the  Moravians  were  to  be- 
come well  acquainted,  who  were  to  influence  and 
be  influenced  by  them,  and  through  whom  a  great 
change  was  to  come  into  the  religious  history  of 
England.  These  were  John  and  Charles  Wesley, 


REINFORCEMENTS.  99 

Benjamin  Ingham  and  Charles  Delamotte.  The 
Wesleys  were  sons  of  Samuel  Wesley,  a  clergyman 
of  the  Church  of  England,  and  while  at  the  Univer- 
sity of  Oxford  they,  with  two  companions,  had 
formed  a  little  society  for  religious  improvement, 
and  by  their  strict  and  methodical  habits  gained  the 
name  of  "Methodists" ;  both  brothers  had  taken 
orders  in  the  English  Church,  and  were  on  their 
way  to  Georgia,  John  to  serve  as  rector  at  Savan- 
nah, and  Charles  as  Gen.  Oglethorpe's  private  secre- 
tary. Benjamin  Ingham  was  born  in  Yorkshire, 
and  met  the  Wesleys  at  Oxford,  where  he  joined 
their  Methodist  society.  He,  too,  had  been  ordain- 
ed in  the  English  Church,  and  now,  at  the  age  of 
twenty-three,  had  yielded  to  John  Wesley's  per- 
suasions, and  agreed  to  go  with  him  "  to  the 
Indians."  Charles  Delamotte.  the  son  of  a  London 
merchant,  met  the  Wesleys  at  the  home  of  James 
Hutton,  shortly  before  they  sailed  for  Georgia,  and 
was  so  much  impressed  by  them,  and  by  their  object 
in  seeking  the  New  World,  that  he  decided  "  to 
leave  the  world,  and  give  himself  up  entirely  to 
God,"  and  go  with  them. 

For  the  greater  part  of  his  life  John  Wesley  kept 
a  Journal,  extracts  from  which  were  given  to  the 
public  from  time  to  time,  and  Benjamin  Ingham's 
account  of  the  voyage  to  Georgia  was  also  printed, 
so  that  the  story  of  those  weeks  is  quite  well  known. 
Nevertheless,  something  of  interest  may  be  gained 
by  comparing  these  two  Journals  with  the  Diaries 
kept  by  David  Nitschmann,  Bishop  of  the  Mora- 
vians, and  John  Andrew  Dober,  one  of  the  second 
company. 


K)0  TJIK,    MORAVIANS   IX    GEORGIA. 

To  avoid  confusion  it  should  be  noted  that  the 
difference  of  eleven  days  in  the  dates  is  only  appar- 
ent, not  real,  for  the  [Englishmen  used  the  old  style 
calendar,  the  Germans  employed  the  modern  one. 
In  46  11.  C.  the  Roman  Calendar  had  gained  two 
months  on  the  actual  seasons,  and  a  more  accurate 
calculation  resulted  in  the  adoption  of  the  so-called 
''Julian  Calendar"  ('prepared  at  the  request  of 
Julius  Caesar),  the  two  missing  months  being  in- 
serted between  November  and  December  in  that 
"  year  of  confusion."  l>y  1582,  however,  the 
Julian  Calendar  hail  fallen  ten  days  behind  the  sea- 
sons, so  another  calculation  was  made,  and  Pope 
Gregory  XIII.  abolished  the  Julian  Calendar  in  all 
Catholic  countries,  dropped  the  dates  of  ten  days 
from  that  year,  and  established  the  "  reformed/'  or 
"Gregorian  Calendar."  This  was  adopted  in  Cath- 
olic German}',  in  1583.  in  Protestant  Germany  and 
Holland,  in  1700,  but  in  England  not  until  175-,  by 
which  time  the  difference  had  increased  to  eleven 
days.  Following  the  ancient  Jewish  custom  the 
^  ear,  for  many  centuries,  began  with  the  25th  of 
March,  but  public  sentiment  came  to  favor  the  1st  of 
January  as  the  more  appropriate  date,  and  it  was 
gradually  adopted.  In  Kngland,  however,  the  legal 
year  continued  to  begin  with  .March  25th.  until  1752, 
although  many  people  were  either  using  the  newer 
fashion,  or  indicating  both,  and  a  date  might  be  cor- 
rectly written  in  lour  ways.  c.  g.  Januarv  loth, 

1734,  old  stvle,  legal,  Januarv  loth,  1734-5,  or  ]anu- 
arv  loth.   1735.  old  stvle.  popular,  and  January  2ist, 

1735,  new  style,  the  last  agreeing  with  the  calendar 
now  in  yeneral  use. 


REINFORCEMENTS. 


101 


Bishop  Nitschmann  gives  the  outline  ot  their  re- 
ligious services  on  almost  every  day,  and  in  the 
translation  which  follows  these  are  generally  omit- 
ted ;  in  the  same  way  some  paragraphs  are  left  out 
of  the  Wesley  Journal.  Extracts  from  Dober's  and 
Ingham's  Journals  are  inserted  when  they  give 
facts  not  otherwise  noted. 


NITSCHMANN'S   DIARY.        JOHN 


Oct.  24th,  1735. — I  went  to 
the  ship,  ('the  Simmonds, 
Captain  Cornish).  My  heart 
rejoiced  to  be  once  more 
with  the  Brethren.  In  the 
evening  we  held  our  song 
service. 

(We  have  all  given  our- 
selves to  the  Lord,  and  pray 
that  the  Saviour  may  com- 
fort our  hearts  with  joy. 
and  that  we  may  attain  our 
object,  namely,  to  call  the 
heathen,  to  become  acquaint- 
ed with  tho-e  whom  we 
have  not  known  and  who 
know  us  not.  and  to  worship 
the  name  of  the  Lord. — Let- 
ter of  Oct.  -28.} 


WESLEY'S 
NAL. 


JOUR- 


Oct.  i4th,  1735,  (0.  S.) 
Tue-day.  — Mr.  Benjamin 
Ingham.  of  Queen's  College. 
Oxford.  Mr.  Charles  Dela- 
motte.  son  of  a  merchant  in 
London,  who  had  offered 
himself  some  days  before, 
my  brother  Charles  Wesley, 
and  myself,  took  boat  for 
Gravesend.  in  order  to  em- 
bark for  C.eorgia.  Our  end 
in  leaving  our  native  coun- 
trv  was  not  to  avoid  want, 
(God  having  given  u«  plenty 
of  temporal  hle-sings.)  nor 
to  gain  the  dung  or  dross  of 
riches  or  honor:  but  singly 
this. — to  save  our  souls,  to 
live  wholly  to  the  glory  of 
God.  In  the  afternoon  we 
found  the  Simmonds  off 
Grave-end,  and  immediately 
went  on  board. 

(We  had  two  cabin-  al- 
lotted us  in  the  forecastle; 
I  and  Mr.  Delamotte  having 
the  first,  and  Messrs.  Wes- 
lev  the  other.  Theirs  was 


102 


THE  MORAVIANS  IN  GEORGIA. 


Nitschmann's — Continued. 


Oct.  27th.— Bled  Mrs.  Tol- 
tschig  and  Mrs.  Zeisberger. 
On  deck  one  man  was 
knocked  down  by  another, 
striking  his  head  on  the 
deck  so  as  to  stun  him.  In 
the  evening  we  held  our 
song  service  at  the  same 
hour  that  the  English  had 
theirs.  I  spoke  with  Mr. 
Oglethorpe  and  the  two  Eng- 
lish clergymen,  who  asked 
concerning  our  ordination 
and  our  faith.  Mr.  Ogle- 
thorpe said  lie  would  be  as 
our  father,  if  we  would  per- 
mit it. 

Oct.  28th. — At  our  prayer- 
meeting  considered  Eph.  1, 
how  our  election  may  be 
made  sure;  I  also  wrote  In 
the  Congregation  at  llerrn- 
liut.  Mrs.  Zeisberger  was 
sick,  and  Mr.  Oglethorpe 
concerned  himself  about  her 
comfort . 

Oct.  2gth.  -Spoke  with  the 
Wittenberg  carpenter  con- 
cerning his  soul. 

Oct.  3oth.---We  decided 
\vho  should  attend  to  vari- 


Wesley's — Continued. 
made  pretty  large,  so  that 
we  could  all  meet  together 
to  read  or  pray  in  it.  This 
part  of  the  ship  was  assign- 
ed to  us  by  Mr.  Oglethorpe, 
as  being  most  convenient  for 
privacy. —  Ingham's  Jour- 
nal.) 


Oct.  1 7th. — I  began  to 
learn  (ierman  in  order  to 
converse  with  the  Germans, 
six  and  twenty"  of  whom 
we  had  on  board. 


*Twenty-five  Moravians  and 
the  Wittenberg  carpenter. 


REINFORCEMENTS. 


103 


Nitschmann's — Continued, 
ous  duties  during  the  voy- 
age, and  held  our  "Band'' 
meetings.  (The  "Bands" 
were  small  groups,  closely 
associated  for  mutual  relig- 
ious improvement.)  An  Eng- 
lish boy  fell  overboard,  but 
was  rescued  by  a  sailor. 

Oct.  3ist. — In  the  after- 
noon we  sailed  twelve  miles 
from  Gravesend. 


Wesley's — Continued. 


Nov.  i  st. — The  English 
clergyman  began  to  spend 
an  hour  teaching  us  Eng- 
lish. In  the  early  service 
we  read  concerning  new  life 
in  the  soul;  the  preceding 
night  was  blessed  to  mo, 
and  the  Saviour  was  near. 
At  the  evening  service  we 
spoke  of  earnest  prayer  and 
its  answer.  (David  X  it  sell  - 
mann.  in  the  presence  of  all 
the  members,  formally  in- 
stalled certain  of  our  mem- 
bers in  office, — David  Tanne- 


Oct.  2oth,  Monday.— Be- 
lieving the  denying  our- 
selves, even  in  the  smallest 
instances,  might,  by  the 
blessing  of  God,  be  helpful 
to  us,  we  wholly  left  off  the 
use  of  flesh  and  wine,  and 
confined  ourselves  to  vege- 
table food, — chiefly  rice  and 
biscuit.  In  the  afternoon, 
David  Xitschmann,  Bishop 
of  the  Germans,  and  two 
others,  began  to  learn  Eng- 
lish. O  may  we  be,  not  only 
of  one  tongue,  but  of  one 
mind  and  of  one  heart. 

Oct.  2ist. — We  sailed  from 
Gravesend.  When  we  were 
past  about  half  the  Good- 
win Sands  the  wind  sudden- 
ly failed.  Had  the  calm  con- 
tinued till  ebb,  the  ship  had 
probably  been  lost.  But  the 
gale  sprung  up  again  in  an 
hour,  and  carried  its  into 
the  Downs. 

We  now  began  to  be  a  lit- 
tle regular.  Our  common 
way  of  living  was  this: 
From  four  in  the  morning 
till  five,  each  of  us  used  pri- 


104 


Tine  MORAVIANS  IN  GEORGIA. 


Nitschmann's — Continued, 
berger  as  overseer,  l)ober 
as  teacher  and  monitor,  Sey- 
buld  as  nurse  for  the  breth- 
ren, and  Mrs.  Dober  as  nurse 
for  the  sisters.. — -Dober's  Di- 
ary.) 

(We  have  arranged  that 
one  of  us  shall  watch  each 
night,  of  which  Mr.  Ogle- 
lliorpe  approves. — Letter  of 
Oct.  18th.) 

Nov.  2nd. — We  sailed  fur- 
ther. In  the  early  prayer 
service  we  considered  Eph. 
IV.  the  unity  of  the  Spirit, 
and  the  7iieans  of  preserv- 
ing the  bond  of  peace.  In 
the  song  service  many  points 
of  doctrine  \vere  discussed 
with  the  English  clergyman, 
also  the  decline  and  loss  of 
power. 

Nov.  3rd.— A  dense  fog 
and  unpleasant  weal  her,  so 
we  lav  still  at  anchor. 


Wesley's — Continued. 

vate  prayer.  From  live  to 
seven  we  read  the  Bible  to- 
gether, carefully  comparing 
it  (that  we  might  not  lean 
to  our  own  understanding) 
with  the  writings  of  the 
earliest  ages.  At  seven  we 
breakfasted.  At  eight  were 
the  public  prayers.  From 
nine  to  twelve  I  usually 
learned  German  and  Mr. 
Delamotte  Greek.  Mv  broth- 
er writ  sermons,  and  Mr. 
Ingham  instructed  the  chil- 
dren. At  twelve  we  met  to 
give  an  account  to  one  an- 
other what  we  had  done 
since  our  last  meeting,  and 
what  we  designed  to  do 
before  our  next.  About  one 
we  dined.  The  time  from 
dinner  to  four,  we  spent  in 
reading  to  those  \\hom  each 
of  us  had  taken  in  charge, 
or  in  speaking  to  them  sev- 
erally, as  need  required.  At 
four  were  the  Evening 
I'raver:-:  when  either  the 
Second  Lesson  was  ex- 
plained (as  it  always  was 
in  the  morning,)  or  the  chil- 
dren were  catechised,  and 
instructed  before  the  con- 
gregation. From  li\e  to 
six  we  again  used  private 
prayer.  From  six  to  seven 
1  read  in  our  cabin  1o  two 
or  three  of  the  passengers, 
(of  whom  there  were  about 


RE  I X  I'ORC  1C  M  K  X  T  S. 


105 


Nitschmann's — Continued. 


Nov.  4th. — I  visited  the 
other  ship,  (the  London 
Merchant,  Capt.  Thomas) 
where  the  so-called  Salz- 
burgers  are.  I  spend  most 
of  my  time  studying  Eng- 
lish. 

Nov.  sth. — We  prayed  for 
the  Congregation  at  Herrn- 
hut,  and  also  that  we  might 
be  one  with  it  in  spirit.  In 
the  evening  we  spoke  of  the 
Lord's  protection,  how  good 
it  is. 
There  is  no  room  for  fear, 

The  world  may  shake  and 

quiver, 
The  elements  may  rage. 

The  firmament  may  shiver, 
We  are  safe-guarded. 

Nov.  8th.— An  (English) 
child  died,  and  was  buried 
in  the  sea  at  five  o'clock. 


Wesley's — Continued. 

eighty  English  on  board), 
and  each  of  my  brethren  to 
a  few  more  in  theirs.  At 
seven  I  joined  with  the 
Germans  in  their  public  ser- 
vice; while  Mr.  Ingham  was 
reading  between  the  decks 
to  as  many  as  desired  to 
hear.  At  eight  we  met 
again,  to  exhort  and  in- 
struct one  another.  Between 
nine  and  ten  we  went  to 
bed,  where  neither  the  roar- 
ing of  the  sea.  nor  the  mo- 
tion of  the  ship,  could  take 
away  the  refreshing  sleep 
which  God  gave  us. 

Oct.  24th. — Having  a  roll- 
ing sea,  most  of  the  pas- 
sengers found  the  effects  of 
it.  Mr.  Delamotte  was  ex- 
ceeding sick  for  several 
days.  Mr.  Ingham  for  about 
half  an  hour.  My  brother's 
head  ached  much.  Hitherto 
it  has  pleased  God  the  sea 
has  not  disordered  me  at 
all. 

During  our  stay  in  the 
Downs,  some  or  other  of 
us  went,  as  often  as  we  had 
opportunity,  on  board  the 
slap  that  sailed  in  company 
with  us,  where  also  many 
were  glad  to  join  in  prayer 
and  hearing  the  word. 


io6 


Tn ic  MORAVIANS  IN  GEORGIA. 


Nitschmann's — Continued. 

Nov.  nth. — The  text  was 
"The  Lord  is  with  me,  there- 
fore I  do  not  fear." 


Nov.  i2th.  —  (This  after- 
noon we  came  near  Ports- 
mouth, and  am-liored.  To- 
day Dober  bewail  lo  study 
English,  and  learned  the 
Lord's  I'rayer.  -  Dober's 
Diary.) 

Nov.  isth. —  Ilermsdorf 
visits  Baron  von  Iteck. 

Nov.  i4th. — We  lay  at  an- 
chor at  I'owes  ou  the  Isle 
of  Wight,  and  some  of  us 
landed.  1  went  with  Baron 
von  Iteck  to  Newport,  one 
mile  distant,  it  is  a  beauti- 
ful place.  I  conversed  with 
Baron  von  Keck  about  the 
Lord's  1'rnyor. 

Nov.  i8th.  -A  great  storm. 
rl  o  me  the  time  is  precious, 
and  passes  too  swiftly.  H 
is  as  though  we  \\ere  in  the 
midst  of  wild  beasts,  which 
arc  bound  and  cannot  harm 
us.  \Yo  know  the  Saviour 
stand>  by  us,  and  -trength- 
ens  us  through  the  Holy 
Ohost. 


Wesley's — Continued. 

Oct.  3ist. — We  sailed  out 
of  the  Downs.  At  eleven  at 
night  I  was  waked  by  a 
great  noise.  I  soon  found 
there  was  no  danger.  But 
the  bare  apprehension  of  it 
gave  me  a  lively  conviction 
what  manner  of  men  those 
ought  to  be.  who  are  every 
moment  on  the  brink  of 
eternity. 

Nov.  ist,  Saturday. — We 
came  to  St.  Helen's  harbour, 
and  the  next  day  into 
(.'owes  road.  The  wind  was 
fair,  but  we  waited  for  the 
man-of-war  which  was  to 
sail  with  us.  This  was  a 
happy  opportunity  of  in- 
structing our  fellow  trav- 
ellers. May  lie  whose  seed 
we  sow,  give  it  the  in- 
crease ! 


REINFORCEMENTS. 


107 


Nitschmann's— Continued. 

Nov  2oth. — One  older  and 
two  young  Englishmen  were 
whipped  for  stealing. 

Nov.  aist. — Conversed  with 
Mr.  Oglethorpe  about  our 
ordination.  Baron  von  Keek 
acting  as  interpreter.  He 
was  well  pleased  when  I  ex- 
plained our  view,  and  that 
we  did  not  think  a  Bishop 
must  be  a  great  lord  as 
among  the  Catholics.  He 
offered  to  give  us  anything 
we  wished,  but  I  told  him 
we  needed  nothing. 

Nov.  23rd. — The  Man-of- 
war  (Hawk,  Capt.  Gascoine) 
joined  us.  A  boy  was  beat- 
en, and  sent  away  from  the 
ship. 

Nov.  25th. — Spoke  with 
Mr.  Oglethorpe  about  Boh- 
ner  and  George  Xeisser.  who 
are  sick  and  must  go  ashore 
for  treatment.  Bi'ihner  has 
a  sore  arm.  an^  Xeisser  a 
sore  foot.  An  English  friend 
gave  us  a  guinea  to  buy 
some  things  we  need. 

Nov.  2gth. — In  the  even- 
ing I  prayed  for  a  good 
wind,  since  we  do  not  wish 
to  lie  in  one  place  and  be 
of  no  use. 

Dec.  ist. — The  wind  was 
good,  we  thanked  God  and 
sailed  about  eight  o'clock. 
Xot  long  after  the  wind  fell. 


Wesley's — Continued. 


Nov.  2oth. — We  fell  down 
Yarmouth  road,  but  the 
next  day  were  forced  back 
to  Cowes.  Durinsz  our  stay 


io8 


1'n ic  .MORAVIANS  IN  GEORGIA. 


Nitschmann's — Continued. 

and  M  o  anchored,  but  1 
could  not  believe  Ihut  \ve 
were  not  to  go.  The  wind 
rose  again,  and  we  tailed 
nine  miles. 

Dec.  and. — About  two 
o'clock  we  returned  to 
Co  we-. 

Dec.  3rd. — The  women 
went  ashore  to  wash  our 
clothes.  The  others  went 
with  them,  because  we  do 
not  wish  to  annoy  any  one. 
and  desired  to  be  alone 
that  we  might  celebrate  the 
Lord's  Supper.  I  could  not 
leave  the  ship,  but  was 
with  them  in  spirit. 

Dec.  4th. —  (Xitschmann 
mid  Dober  spoke  with  sev- 
eral of  the  Brethren  con- 
cerning their  spiritual  con- 
dition. Tn  the  evening  a 
storm  sprang  up  which  con- 
tinued most  of  tlic  night. 
Air.  Oglelhorpo  is  ill.  which 
remind-;  u<  1o  pray  for  him. 
and  the  Kngli-h  preacher. 
John  Wesloy.  has  promised 
to  do  the  snme.  Thi-  preach- 
er lose-;  no  opportunity  to 
be  present  at  our  *ong  ~er- 
vice:  he  spare<  no  pain-;  to 
perform  the  duties  of  his 
oHice  and  lie  likes  us.  We 
wish  we  could  converse  free- 
ly with  him,  so  that  we 
could  more  careful) \-  explain 


Wesley's — Continued. 

here  there  \\ere  several 
>torms,  in  one  of  which  two 
ships  in  Yarmouth  roads 
were  lost. 

The  continuance  of  the 
contrary  winds  gave  my 
brother  an  opport unity  of 
complying  with  the  desire 
of  the  minister  of  L'owes, 
and  preaching  there  three 
or  four  times. 


Nov.  23rd,  Sunday. — At 
night  I  was  waked  by  th« 
tossing  of  the  ship,  and 
roaring  of  the  wind,  and 
plainly  showed  I  was  unlit, 
for  I  was  unwilling  to  die. 


RK  i  x  FORCK  M  K  x  T  s. 


109 


Nitschmann's — Continued. 

tlic    \vny    of    (iod    to    him. — • 
J)ober'>    Diary.) 

Dec.  yth. — A  great  storm, 
and  we  thanked  (.'od  that 
we  were  in  a  safe  harbor. 
Dec.  loth. — All  hands  sum- 
moned to  lift  the  anchor. 
Mr.  Oglethorpe  called  me. 
took  me  by  the  Hand,  led 
me  into  the  cabin,  and  gave 
me  t'l  for  the  Brethren. 
Later  the  wind  was  again 
contrary,  and  we  had  to  lie 
still. 

Dec.  i8th.—  We  lifted  the 
anchor  at  three  o'clock,  but 
as  we  got  under  sail  the 
wind  changed  again.  We 
must  stay  still,  but  what 
the  Lord  intend-  -wo  do  noi 
know. 

Dec.  2ist.— An  east  wind 
sprang  up.  and  -with  the 
help  of  *iod  we  sailed  at 
nine  o'clock  from  Cowe-. 
where  we  had  been  for  live 
weeks  ainl  three  days.  (With 
u^  went  two  ship~.  the  man- 
of-war,  and  thai  which  car- 
ried Hanni  von  Reck  and  hi- 
Sal/burger.-.  Two  of  '  !ie 
Sal/burgers  \\eie  on  .-hi ire. 
and  were  left  behind  v.  hen 
1  he  -h ip  >a i!ed.  v  hereat 
their  wive-  ;iud  children  who 
\\ere  (ill  board,  \\ere  sorely 
grie\ed,-  Dober's  Diary.) 
8 


Wesley's — Continued. 


Dec.  yth,  Sunday. — Find- 
ing nature  did  not  require 
-uch  treijuent  supplies  as 
we  had  been  accustomed  to. 
we  agreed  to  leave  oil  sup- 
pers: from  doing  which  we 
have  hitherto  found  no  in- 
convenience. 

Dec.  icth,  Wednesday. — 
We  sailed  from  Co wes.  and 
in  the  afternoon  passed  the 
Needles.  From  this  day  to 
the  fourteenth  being  in 
the  Bay  of  Biscay,  the  sea 
\.;>-  very  rough.  Mr.  Dela- 
inotte  and  others  \\ere 
more  -ick  than  ever:  Mr. 
Ingham  a  little:  [  not  at 
all.  Bui  the  fourteenth  be- 
;:!•_:  ;•  i-ii  hi:  day.  nio-t  of  the 
>ick  \\ei'e  cured  at  OIK  e. 


no  THE  MORAVIANS  IN  GEORGIA. 

Nitschmann's — Continued.  Wesley's — Continued. 

When  we  reached  the  open 
sea  many  became  sea-sick. 
There  was  so  much  to  be 
done  that  \\e  could  not  hold 
our  prayer-meeting,  for  our 
people  help  in  all  the  work, 
and  therefore  the  sailors 
treat  us  well,  no  matter 
what  they  think  of  us  in 
their  heart-.  In  the  evening 
our  song  >ervice  was  much 
blessed. 

Dec.  22nd.     The   \\ind   was  Dec.    i2th.--(ln    the    fore- 

east,  and  wo  sailed  nine  noon  \\  e  left  the  man-of- 
miles  an  hour,  but  wore  all  war.  he  not  being  able  to 
very  sea-sick.  sail  a>  fast  as  our  ships. — • 

Dec.  25th.  As  this  was  lngham'>  .Journal.) 
Christmas  Day  we  rend 
Matt.  VIII.  in  our  prayer 
service.  The  wind  had  died 
down,  everyone  felt  much 
better,  and  il  was  a  beauti- 
ful day. 

Dec.  2yth.  At  midnight 
there  was  a  great  >1orm.  and 
the  waves  broke  over  the 
ship:  the  middle  hatch  \\  a - 
open,  and  the  water  poured 
in.  running  into  our  cabin, 
so  that  we  had  1o  take 
everything  out  of  them 
unt  il  we  could  dry  t  hem. 

Dec.     soth.     The     weather  (Dec.   igth. — ^Messrs.   \Vcs- 

\\as   again    pleasant.  lev    and     I.    \\ith     Mr.    <  >gle- 

thorpe's  approbation,  under- 
took to  visit,  each  of  us.  a 
part  of  the  ship,  and  daily 
to  provide  the  sick  people 


GENERAL  JAMES  (KJLETIIORPE. 
From   a  pen  sketch   in  the  llornihut    Archive 


REINFORCEMENTS. 


in 


Nitschmann's — Continued. 


Jan.  i,  1736. — It  was  New 
Year's  Day,  and  Mr.  Ogle- 
thorpe's  birthday.  (Br. 
Xitschmann  asked  us  to  se- 
lect a  number  of  verses, 
wrote  them  out  and  pre- 
sented them  as  a  birthday 
greeting  to  Mr.  Oglethorpe. 
It  was  a  beautiful  day, 
warm  and  calm. — Dober's 
Diarv.) 


Jan.  sth. —  ( To-day,  accord- 
ing to  the  old  style,  Christ- 
mas was  celebrated  on  our 
ship.  Br.  Xitschmann  spoke 
on  the  words,  '"Unto  us  a 
Child  is  born,  unto  us  a  Son 
is  given." — Dober's  Diary.) 

Jan.  loth. —  (We  have  been 
running  for  several  days 
willi  the  Trade  winds.  Here 
the  day  is  two  hours  longer 
than  it  is  in  Germany  at 
this  season.  The  sailors 
wished  to  adhere  to  their 
custom  of  initiating  tho-e 
who  crossed  the  Tropic  of 
Cancer  for  the  first  time. 


Wesley's — Continued. 

with  water-gruel,  and  such 
other  tilings  as  were  neces- 
sary for  them. — Ingham's 
Journal.) 

Dec.  2ist,  Sunday. — We 
had  fifteen  communicants, 
which  was  our  usual  num- 
ber on  Sundays. 

('I'll  is  being  Mr.  Ogle- 
thorpe's  birthday,  he  gave 
a  sheep  and  wine  to  the 
people,  which,  with  the 
smoothness  of  the  sea,  and 
the  serenity  of  the  sky, 
so  enlivened  them  that  they 
perfectly  recovered  from 
their  sea-sickness. 

On  Christmas  Day,  also, 
Mr  Oglethorpe  gave  a  hog 
and  wine  to  the  people. — 
Ingham's  Journal.) 


Dec.    2gth. —  (We    are   now 

past  the  latitude  of  twenty- 
live  degrees,  and  are  got 
into  what  they  call  the 
Trade  winds,  which  blow 
much  the  same  way  all  the 
year  round.  The  air  is 
balmy,  soft,  and  sweet. 
The  ship  glides  smoothly 
and  quietly  along.  The 


ii2  TJH-:  MORAVIANS  IN  GICORGIA. 

Nitschmann's — Continued.  Wesley's — Continued. 

lmt   C'CU.  ( )i;letliorpe   forbade       nights    are    mild    and    pieas- 

it.     'J'lie    \\eak.    the    children.       ant.          beiiiLr          beautifully 

and  the  -irk.  are  \\tdl  cared       adorned     uith     the     shining 

t'nr.  -o  that   the  nine  mouths'        ho-t-  of  stars. 

old     i-liild     receives     an     r-g       "Forever     -in-in^     as     they 

and   some   iroat'>    milk   every  -liine 

day— Dober's    Diary.)  -j  h(,    H.lll(1    ,i1;U    111;l(i0    us   is 

Jan.      i2th.--'l'o-(lay,      ac-  divine." 

cording  to   the  old   style.   \\  e  — Inglmm's    .Journal.) 

celebrated    the   'New    Year. 

Jan.  2oth.--An  Kii;:'lisli 
elcriryman  a-ked  us  how 
often  we  celebrated  the 
LordV  Sii|i|)er.  saying  thr.t 
he  tliou.u'lit  it  a  sacrilice 
\\hii-h  ronsecral  ed  and  im- 
proved the  life.  \Ve  told 
him  our  \  ie\\  :  lie  said  lie 
would  like  to  vi>it  Ilerrn- 
hut. 

( \Vo  re-rro-^od  the  Tro]iie 
of  (  ancer.  --Dnbor's  Diary.) 

Jan.  2ist.--i\\"e  nre  >till 
in  1  he  Trade  wind,  and  -ail 
suiftly  and  -leadilv.)  \\"e 
raiiimt  thank  (lod  oiioim'h 
that  \\  e  a  re  all  well,  only 
Mr-.  I  )emut  h  i-  ;;  l\\'a  vs  sea- 
sick \\  he'll  1  ho  \\  ind  ri-e-. 

Jan.      23rd.     \\'p      -aw      a  Jan.   rath,  1736.      il   lie-jair 

-lii]1-  tn     write     "iH      tin-     Kni;li-li 

Dirt  idiiarx  in  mdrr  in  irarn 
the  Indian  tonu'ue.  In^- 
ha  in'-  .lournal.  i 

Jan.  ayth.      (A-  there  was  Jan.    isth.     (  nmnlaint    be- 

little piod  water  left  the  in.Lf  made  to  Mr.  <  !ir!et  IPM  pe 
pa--eiiiL:er-  \<  en>  u'i\-(Mi  pour  of  the  unroual  di-1  ribut  inn 
\\  a 


REINFORCEMENTS. 


Nitschmann's — Continued. 

heard  of  it.  he  ordered  that 
all.  in  the  Cabin  and  out- 
side, should  be  treated  alike, 
as  Ion",'  as  the  good  water 
lasted.  Mr.  Oglethorpe  and 
the  preacher.  John  Wesley, 
are  very  careful  of  the  pas- 
sengers' welfare;  the  latter 
shows  himself  full  of  love 
for  us. — Dober's  Diary.) 

Jan.  28th. — There  was  a 
great  storm,  the  waves  went 
over  the  ship,  and  poured 
into  it.  Then  many  who 
knew  not  God  were  fright- 
ened, but  \ve  were  of  good 
cheer,  and  trusted  in  the 
Lord  who  does  all  things 
well.  Rowdier  and  Mack  are 
good  sailors  and  not  afraid 
of  unvthinjr. 


Wesley's — Continued. 

senders,  he  appointed  new 
ollieer-  to  take  charge  of  it. 
A I  t!ii-  the  old  ones  and 
their  friends  wore  highly 
exasperated  against  us.  to 
whom  they  imputed  the 
change.  l!ut  "the  fierceness 
of  man  shall  turn  to  thy 
praise." 

Jan.  i7th,  Saturday. — 
Manv  people  were  very  im- 
patient at  the  contrary 
wind.  At  seven  in  the 
evening  they  were  quieted 
by  a  storm.  It  ro-e  higher 
and  higher  till  nine.  About 
nine  the  sea  broke  over  us 
from  stem  to  stern;  burst 
through  the  windows  of  the 
state  cabin,  where  three  or 
four  of  us  were,  and  cov- 
ered us  all  over,  though  a 
bureau  sheltered  me  from 
the  main  shock.  About 
eleven  I  lay  down  in  the 
great  cabin,  and  in  a  short 
time  fell  asleep,  though 
very  uncertain  whether  I 
should  \vake  alive,  and 
much  ashamed  of  my  un- 
willingne-s  to  die.  O  how 
pure  in  heart  mu>t  he  be, 
who  would  rejoice  to  appear 
before  God  at  a  moment's 
v,  aining!  Toward  morning 
"lie  rebuked  the  wind  and 
the  sea.  and  there  wa-  a 
great  calm." 


114 


THE  MORAVIANS  IN  GEORGIA. 


Nitschmann's — Continued. 

Jan.  2gth. — We  road  the 
13th  chapter  of  Mark  at 
our  early  prayer  service. 
The  weather  was  a  little 
better,  but  the  wind  was 
contrary.  We  also  saw  a 
ship  which  was  sailing 
northeast.  In  the  evening 
we  read  the  ninety-eighth 
Psalm,  the  Lord  was  with  us 
and  we  were  blessed. 

Feb.  ist. — The  weather 
was  fine,  and  there  was  no 
wind  until  ten  o'clock,  when 
it  came  from  the  right  quar- 
ter. In  addition  to  our 
usual  allowance  the  Captain 
sent  us  fresh  meat,  which 
he  has  done  thrice  already, 
and  we  do  not  altogether 
like  it.  for  we  arc  content 
with  whnt  we  have,  and  do 
not  desire  more. 

Feb.  3rd. — There  was  a 
great  >torm,  which  lasted 
all  night. 

Feb.  4th. — The  storm  last- 
ed all  day.  and  the  waves 
often  swept  over  the  ship. 
The  storm  rudder  was  lashed 
fast,  and  so  we  were  driven. 


Wesley's — Continued. 
Jan.     1 8th,     Sunday. — We 

returned  thanks  to  Cod  for 
our  deliverance,  of  which  a 
few  appeared  duly  sensible. 
But  the  rest  (among  whom 
were  most  of  the  sailors) 
denied  we  had  been  in  any 
danger.  I  could  not  have 
believed  that  M>  little  good 
would  have  been  done  by 
the  terror  they  were  in  be- 
fore. But  it  cannot  be  that 
they  should  long  obey  God 
from  fear,  who  are  deaf  to 
the  motives  of  love. 


Jan.  23rd,  Friday. — In  the 
evening  another  storm  be- 
gan. In  the  morning  it  in- 
creased, so  that  they  were 
forced  to  let  the  ship  drive, 
i  cc-ukl  not  but  say  to  my- 
self, ''Hew  is  it  that  thou 
hnst  no  faith?"  being  still 
unwilling  to  die.  About  one 
in  the  afternoon,  almost  as 
soon  as  I  had  stepped  out 
of  tlu«  great  cabin  door,  the 
sea  did  not  break  as  usual, 
but  came  with  a  smooth 
full  tide  over  the  side  of 
the  ship.  I  was  vaulted 


REINFORCEMENTS. 


Nitschmann's — Continued. 


Feb.  sth. — In  the  early 
morning  we  had  a  fairly 
good  breeze,  but  about  ten 
o'clock,  a  storm  rose,  of 
such  violence  that  the  wind 
seemed  to  blow  from  all 
four  quarters  at  once,  and 
we  were  in  danger  of  being 
overpowered.  The  waves 
were  like  mountains;  the 
rudder  was  lashed  fast, 
only  one  sail  was  spread, 
and  we  drove  on.  only  the 
Lord  knew  whither.  But  we 
did  not  let  it  prevent  us 
from  holding  our  song  ser- 
vice. The  text  given  to  us 
was  Psalm  CXV.  14,  which 
assured  us  that  we  were 
blessed  of  God. — may  He 
ever  bless  us  more  and 
more.  During  the  service 
the  ship  was  covered  with 
a  great  wave,  which  poured 
in  upon  us.  and  on  the  deck 
there  was  a  great  cry  that 
the  wind  had  split  the  one 
sail  which  was  spread. 
There  was  great  fright 
among  the  people  who  have 


Wesley's — Continued, 
over  with  water  in  a  mo- 
ment, and  so  stunned,  that 
I  scarce  expected  to  lift  up 
my  head  again,  till  the  sea 
should  give  up  her  dead. 
But  thanks  be  to  God,  I  re- 
ceived no  hurt  at  all.  About 
noon  our  third  storm  began. 

Jan.  25th,  Sunday. — At 
noon  our  third  storm  began. 
At  four  it  was  more  violent 
than  before.  The  winds 
roared  round  about  us.  and 
whistled  as  distinctly  as  if 
it  had  been  a  human  voice. 
The  ship  not  only  rocked  to 
and  fro  with  the  utmost 
violence,  but  shook  and 
jarred  with  so  unequal, 
grating,  a  motion,  that  one 
could  not  but  with  great 
difficulty  keep  one's  hold  of 
anything,  nor  stand  a  mo- 
ment without  it.  Every  ten 
minutes  came  a  shock 
against  the  stern  or  side  of 
the  ship,  which  one  would 
think  should  dash  the 
planks  to  pieces. 

We  spent  two  or  three 
hours  after  prayers,  in  con- 
versing suitably  to  the  oc- 
casion, confirming  one  an- 
other in  a  calm  submission 
to  the  wise,  holy,  gracious 
will  of  God.  And  now  a 
storm  did  not  appear  so 
terrible  as  before.  Blessed 


Nitschmann's  —  Continued.  Wesley's  —  Continued. 

no  Coil:    the    Kn.L:li>h   clergy-  be    the    Cud    of    ail    eoiisola- 

111:111    wa>  iniidi  aroused,  ran  lion! 

to    them,    ami    preached    re-  At    seven    I    \\eiit     to    the 

pentance.        >ayiiiLr        amoni,'  Cennaii-:      1     h  :d      h;n_!      he- 

othcr  tiling  that   they   could  Hire  obr-erved  the  uie.il    >eri- 

no\v     see     the     dill'ercnec.      1  ousness    of    their    l:c'ia\  ionr. 

was    content,    for    our    live-  (  )f    theii-    humilitv    they    had 

are   in    Cod'>    hand-,   and    lie  yiven    a    continual    proof,    by 

does    what     lie    \\ill:    amojij,'  pcr-nrniiii^        I  ho-r        servile 

tis    there     was    no     fear,     for  olli'.e.s      for     the     other     p.-;-- 

tlie    Lord    helped    us.     (There  senders,    \vliich    none    of    the 

was    a    terrible    -torm    which  English      would     undertake: 

lasted     till     midnight.      Dur-  I'"'    \\liieli    the\    de-iveil.   and 

ini;  the   >on^  service  a   ,i;reat  would    receive    no    pay.    say- 

wave    struck    the    ship    with  i""    "^    W:1*    ,~°O1'    !''»'    'heir 

a    noi>e    like    the    roar    of    a  |ir«iinl     heart-."     and     "uioir 

cannon.     The    uind    lore    the  lovinir      Saviour      had      done 

strong  new   sail    in   two;    the  ">01'<-'        I'0''        them."         And 

(icople.    e-pccially    the     Kn<r-  every    day    had    -i\cn    HHMII 

li>h     women,     -ci-eamcd     and  occa-i<m       of       ~ho\\inijr       a 

wep!  :    the    preacher    \Ve-ley.  nieekne—.     which     no    injury 


our    -on-    service,    cried    out  |"i*hed.     struck,    or     thrown 

ii-rain-1     the     Knjrlish.    "Now  '!"\\n.    lliey    rose    a.u'ain    and 

man  can  see  who  has  a  (!od.  Vv>Hl    nxvay;     but     no     com- 

iind    wlio  has  none."    During  i'i:!'ll!     "'ilw     l"""li     '"     ill('u' 

the   la-t    ei-lil    day-    we   have  H")ilth.     'I'here    was    ,,ow    an 

had   -..   mm  h   conl  ran    \\ind.  "i  (J^^miity          of          trying 

and     -o    many     -torm-    that  w'»<^l'<'i'     HIP.V     were     deliv- 

we    muld     noi     a.pproaeh    the  t'1'cd       "'"'"       llil'      ~l"rit       of 

land.    (ho.-!,     /e    „,.,-,.    „,.;,,-  ''e:"-.    J>>    well    as    from    that 


time,.      i),,!, 


':i  l'ri(l(>'  '•ll~1'r-  :Mll!  |-<?- 
\  eiiLre.  i  i;  the  mid-t  of  t  lie 
;<-<.<;  in  '.\  ho:  PU  it  ii  i  heir  st>r- 
\ii-o  iiojan.  the  ^ea  broke 


117 


Nitschmann's — Continued. 


Feb.  6th.  —  (The  o!de>t 
sailor-  say  they  have  never 
seen  so  lierce  a  storm  a-  the 
one  we  had  last  night.  The 
wind  came  t'rom  all  -ide-  at 
once,  lined  the  water  from 
the  -ea.  liorc  ii  through  the 
air  ami  cast  it  on  the  other 
ship,  where  l>aron  von  Heck 
and  the  Sal/burgers  were, 
and  so  Hooded  it  that  twelve 
persons  were  kept  at  the 
pump-  all  night. — Dober's 
Diary.) 


Wesley's — Continued. 

decks,  as  if  the  great  deep 
liaU  i.hcaJy  s\vallowed  us 
up.  A  terrible  screaming 
bcv;an  r.mcnc  the  English. 
1  he  Germans  calmly  sung 
on.  I  asked  one  of  them 
afterward.  "Was  you  not 
afraid':''  Tie  answered.  "1 
thank  Cod.  no."  I  asked. 
"]>ut  were  not  your  women 
and  children  afraid':"  lie  re- 
plied mildly.  "Xo;  our  wo- 
men and  children  are  not 
afraid  to  die." 

From  them  I  went  to 
their  crying.  trembling 
neighbors,  and  pointed  out 
to  them  the  diiYerenec  in 
the  hour  of  trial,  between 
him  that  feareth  God,  and 
him  that  feareth  him  not. 
At  twelve  the  wind  fell. 
This  wa-  the  mn-t  gloriou^ 
day  which  1  have  hitherto 
seen. 

Jan.  26th. — We  enjoyed 
tho  <alm.  1  c-an  conceive  no 
dili'ercnce  comparable  to 
that  between  a  smooth  and 
a  rough  -ea.  except  that 
w'.ich  is  between  a  mind 
calmed  by  the  love  of  Clod. 
and  OIK  torn  un  by  the 
storms  of  earthly  pas.-ion. 


n8 


Tun  MORAVIANS  IN  OKORGIA. 


Nitschmann's — Continued. 

Feb.  8th.  -(There  was  a 
c-alin.  and  very  line  weather, 
so  that  a  boat  could  be  low- 
ered to  vi-it  the  other  ship. 
— Dober's  Uiary.) 


Feb.  gth. —  (The  wind  was 
DLTain  favorable  to  us.  but 
there  was  much  li^'lii  niiiLj. — 
Dobcr's  Diary.) 


Feb.  ioth.---Tlio  whole  day 
was  stormy,  and  all  ni^ht 
the  waves  broke  over  the 
ship. 


Feb.  1 2th.  —  (We  were 
obliged  to  drift,  because  we 
did  nol  know  how  far  we 
\\ere  from  land.  About  noon 
\\  e  sighted  Hi  roe  ships, 
.-ailed  toward  them,  and 
saw  thev  \\ere  Knj^lish;  our 
sailor-  lowered  the  boat,  we 


Wesley's — Continued. 

Jan.  28th.  -iBeinjj  a  calm 
day,  I  went  on  board  the 
other  ship,  read  prayers, 
and  visited  the  people.  At 
mv  return  1  acquainted  Mr. 
Ojjlethorpc  with  their  state, 
and  he  sent  them  such 
things  a-  they  needed. — 
Inirham's  Journal.) 

Jan.  2gth. — About  seven 
in  the  evening  we  fell  in 
\\ith  the  skirts  of  a  hurri- 
cane. The  rain  as  well  as 
the  wind  was  extremely 
violent.  The  sky  was  so 
dark  in  a  moment,  that  the 
sailors  could  not  so  much 
as  sec  the  ropes,  or  set 
about  furling  the  sails.  The 
-hip  must,  in  all  probabil- 
ity, have  overset,  had  not 
the  wind  fell  as  suddenly 
as  it  rose. 

Jan  3oth.--AVe  had  an- 
<il  her  -torm.  \\  hi'-h  did  us 
no  other  harm  than  split- 
ting the  lore-ail.  Our  bed 
lein;ir  wet,,  J  laid  me  down 
en  the  lloor  and  slept  sound 
till  morninir. 

Feb.  ist,  Sunday. —  (Three 
sails  appearing,  we  made 
up  toward  them,  and  ijfot 
what  letters  we  could 
write,  in  hope's  some  of 
them  mi<,rht  be  bound  for 
KiiLcland.  One  of  them, 
that  was  hound  for  London, 


REINFORCEMENTS. 


119 


Nitschmann's — Continued, 
wrote  in  haste,  and  sent  let- 
ters to  Ilerrnhut.  The  ships 
came  from  Chariest  own.  and 
told  us  we  were  thirty 
hours'  run  from  Georgia. — 
Dober's  Diary.) 

Feb.  isth. — To-day  we  had 
another  storm,  and  twice 
saw  the  ocean  not  far 
from  us,  drawn  up  like 
smoke,  so  that  the  water 
reached  up  to  the  clouds, 
and  the  ship  would  have 
been  in  great  danger  if  it 
had  struck  us. 

Feb.  i4th. — Soundings  to- 
ward evening  showed  twen- 
ty-eight fathoms  of  water, 
and  we  hope  to  see  land  to- 
morrow. 

Feb.  isth. — About  two 
o'clock  we  saw  land.  I 
climbed  the  mast,  and 
poured  out  my  heart  to  Cod. 
thanking  Him,  and  praying 
that  He  would  care  for  us 
in  our  new  home.  We  an- 
chored for  the  night. 

Feb.  i6th. — It  was  a  beau- 
tiful day,  and  the  land 
looked  very  fair.  At  two 
o'clock  we  reached  Tybee, 
and  were  all  very  happy. 
The  song  service  was 
blessed,  and  we  thanked 
God  with  prayer  and  praise. 


Wesley's — Continued, 
made    towards    us.    and    we 
put    our    letters    on    board 
her. — Ingham's    Journal.) 


Feb.     4th,     Wednesday. — 

Auout  noon  the  trees  were 
visible  from  the  mast,  and 
in  the  fiternoon  from  the 
main  deck.  In  the  Evening 
Lessen  were  these  words, 
"A  great  door,  and  effect- 
ual, is  opened,"  0  let  no 
one  shut  it ! 

F(  b.  rth. — Between  two 
and  tlure  in  the  afternoon 
God  brought  us  all  safe  into 
the  Savannah  River.  We 
east  anchor  near  Tybee  Is- 
land, vilieie  the  grove  of 
pines,  running  along  the 
shore,  r.'.ade  an  agreeable 
prospect,  showing,  as  it 
were  the  bloom  of  spring 
in  the  depths'  of  winter. 


I2O 


Nitschmann's— Continued.  Wesley's — Continued. 

Feb.      i  yth.     I      went      on  Feb.    Cth,    Friday.— About 

?hore    with     Mr.    Oglcthorpe,  ei^-lii      i'i     the     morning     \\  e 

•.ml    \\  e   together   fell   on   our  first     set     foot     on    American 

knee-  and   thanked  ('oil.  and  ground.    Jt   was  a  >inall,  un- 

then    took    a    boat    to    Savan-  inhabited       i-Iand,       (Peeper 

nab.     J    v.ent    at   once   to  the  I>land).     over     against     Ty- 

lirethren.  and   \\  e  rejoiced  to  ''t'1'-     ^dr.    ( hjel  horjie    led    us 

]i'  'et     a.Lrain.       I     found     the  to    a     ri-inir    ground,    where 

i'.relhren     \\ell.     and     looked  W(1  :|H   kneeled  down   to  -ive 

with    wonder    at    \\lial    tbev  thanks,     lie    (hen    took    boat 

had  accomplished,  went  with  lor     Savannah.      When     the 

Ti">lt -chiii    and     Span^onberj;  rt'~t      of     the      people      were 

to    the    garden,   and    also    re-  rulll('     on     >hore.     \\  e     called 

eeived    leKers     from     llerrn-  ()111'    ]itt'°    ll()('k    together    to 
lint.       Sjian.u-enberj.'-     had     to 

.u'o  immediately  to  Mr.  ( l^le-  ^'' 

thor].e      (o      discuss      manv  VL)    worc   \vondcrfully   -uit- 

thinjrs  with   him.  ('(1  to  l!l(l  occasion. 

Feb.       i8th.—  (About      >ix  Feb"   7th.     -Mr.   O-lethorpo 

o'clock     in    the    eveniiiLr.    15r.  '^turned        from       Savannah 

S  pa  i;- <•  nber--  came   from   Sa-  "ilh    ^!r-    ^pan^enborjjf,    niic 

vannah    to    us.    which    made  '''     tlil'    l1'1^1"1'^    ()1'    the    Gor- 

ns    very    n],,d    and    (hankful.  "lal!"-       j     ^"<1H     !""11'1     whal 

He    told    ii-   of   the   death    of  Slliri1    ll('   was  of:   alld   :'-kei1 


Feb.   iQth  and  aoth.      i  \Ve  Feb.     otli.      I      a~ked      Mr. 


]>rayei-    and    -onir    s 
Dobei-'s    Diary.) 

Feb.      2ist.   -  ("I'h 
vessid    came:     we    had    much 
rain,    and    I  he    wind    was    >o 


Nitschmann's — Continued. 

strong  a-ain^t  us  that  we 
had  to  spend  the  ni.uht  on 
the  transport.  —  Dober'd 
Diary.) 

Feb.  22nd.  — (In  the  after- 
noon we  reached  Savannah, 
where  we  were  lodged  in 
the  hoiir-c  whieh  the  ISroth- 
ren  who  oaino  a  year  a^o 
have  built  in  the  1  ov\  n.  The 
Lord  has  done  all  tiling- 
well,  a.nd  ha-  turned  to  our 
Lrood  all  tli;it  ha-  befal!e:i 
us.  oven  wlion  wo  did  not 
nnder-t.md  Hi-  way,  and 
ha-  laid  Hi.-  blos-in^  upon 
our  journey. —  thank-  be 
unto  Hiin.  —  Dober's  Diarv.  i 


-;  I  X  I'CJRCE  -\J  1C X  T S.  1 2 1 

Wesley's — Continued. 


Feb.  1 6th.  —Mr.  0--le- 
thnrpe  s^t  out  )'or  the  new 
>eU ioiiii-nt  on  the  Altania- 
lia\v  liivi-r.  lie  took  with 
liiii:  liily  men.  l-e-i<lfs  'Mr. 
In.u'haii!.  "Mr.  i  lerni  -d.-rf.  and 
thiec  India!!-. 

Feb.  24th,  Tuesday.— M.r. 
Oj3rlethorpe  retMrned.  The 
day  follo\vi:iLT  I  took  my 
leave  of  ino-t  of  the  pas- 
st-ii'.rors  of  tho  -hip.  In  the 
evening  I  wont  to  Savan- 
nah. 


122  TllE   AlOKAVIANS   IN    GEORGIA. 

ORGANIZATION. 

The  arrival  of  the  "  second  company "  was  a 
marked  event  in  the  eyes  of  the  Moravians  already 
settled  at  Savannah.  Hitherto  all  had  been  prepara- 
tion, and  labor  had  seemed  less  arduous  and  priva- 
tions less  severe  because  they  were  smoothing  the 
path  for  those  who  were  to  follow,  and  it  was  with 
well-earned  satisfaction  that  wives  and  friends  were 
lodged  in  the  new  house,  taken  to  the  garden  and 
the  farm,  and  introduced  to  acquaintances  in  the 
town.  No  doubt  poor  Catherine  Riedel's  heart 
ached  with  loneliness,  and  her  tears  flowed  last, 
when,  at  the  close  of  that  long  and  stormy  voyage, 
she  heard  of  her  husband's  death,  and  stood  beside 
his  grave  in  the  Savannah  cemetery; — but  there  was 
little  time  for  grieving  in  the  press  of  matters  that 
required  attention,  for  Spangenberg's  long  visit  was 
now  to  end,  Nitschmann  was  to  remain  only  until 
the  organization  of  the  Congregation  was  complete, 
and  there  was  much  lo  be  done  before  these  two  able 
leaders  took  their  departure. 

Scarcely  had  Bishop  Nitschmann  greeted  the 
members  of  the  "  first  company  "  in  the  dawn  of 
Feb.  17th,  1736,  when  Spangenberg  and  Toltschig 
took"  him  to  the  garden  two  miles  distant,  that  they 
might  have  a  private  and  undisturbed  conference. 
All  too  soon,  however,  word  was  brought  that  Gen. 
Oglethorpe  wanted  to  see  Spangenberg  at  once,  so 
they  retraced  their  steps,  and  Spangenberg  received 
a  hearty  greeting  from  the  General,  and  many  com- 
pliments on  what  he  and  his  party  had  accomplished. 
There  is  no  record  of  the  conversations  among  the 


REINFORCEMENTS.  123 

Moravians  on  that  day,  but  they  are  not  difficult  to 
imagine,  for  the  news  from  home  and  from  the  mis- 
sion fields  on  the  one  side,  and  the  problems  and 
prospects  in  Georgia  on  the  other,  would  furnish 
topics  which  many  days  could  not  exhaust. 

That  evening  Spangenberg  again  called  on  Gen. 
Oglethorpe,  who  gave  orders  that  a  boat  should 
take  him  next  day  to  Tybee,  where  the  ship  lay  at 
anchor,  with  all  her  passengers  aboard.  He  also 
told  Spangenberg  about  the  English  preacher  whom 
he  had  brought  over,  and  made  inquiries  about 
Xitschmann's  position,  asking  that  the  explanation 
be  repeated  to  the  English  preacher,  who  was  also 
interested  in  him. 

The  following  day  Spangenberg  waited  upon  Gen. 
Oglethorpe  to  ask  about  Hermsdorf,  as  he  heard  the 
General  had  promis--!  to  take  him  to  the  Altamaha, 
where  a  new  town  was  to  be  built.  He  also  begged 
Oglethorpe  to  help  him  arrange  his  departure  for 
Pennsylvania  as  soon  as  possible,  which  the  General 
agreed  to  do. 

About  six  o'clock  that  evening  Spangenberg 
reached  the  ship  at  Tybee,  and  was  warmly  wel- 
comed by  the  Moravians,  and  at  their  song  service 
he  met  the  much-talked  of  English  preacher,  John 
Wesley.  The  two  men  liked  each  other  at  the  first 
glance;  "Wesley  wrote  in  his  Journal.  "I  soon  found 
what  spirit  he  was  of,  and  asked  his  advice  in  re- 
gard to  my  own  conduct/'  while  Spangenberg 
paralleled  this  in  his  Diary  with  the  remark,  uHe 
told  me  how  it  was  with  him,  and  I  saw  that  true 
Grace  dwelt  in  and  governed  him." 

During  the  two   days   which   elapsed   before   the 


1_>4  TjlK    MORAVIANS   IX    CiKOKGIA. 

transport  came  to  take  the  Moravians  from  the  ship, 
\Yesley  and  Spangenberg  had  several  long  conver- 
sations, each  recording  the  points  that  struck  him 
most,  but  without  comment.  These  discussions  re- 
garding doctrine  and  practice  were  renewed  at  in- 
tervals during  the  remainder  of  Spangenberg's  stay 
in  Savannah,  and  the  young  Englishman  showed 
himself  eager  to  learn  the  Indian  language  so  that 
he  might  preach  to  the  natives,  generous  in  his  offers 
to  share  his  advantages  of  study  with  the  Mora- 
vians, and  above  all  determined  to  enforce  the  letter 
of  the  ecclesiastical  law,  as  he  understood  it,  in  his 
new  parish.  lie  thought  "  it  would  be  well  it"  two 
of  the  Moravian  women  would  dedicate  themselves 
to  the  Indian  service,  and  at  once  begin  to  study  the 
language,"  and  "  as  the  early  Church  employed  dea- 
conesses, it  would  be  profitable  if  these  women  were 
ordained  to  their  office."  lie  was  also  convinced 
"  that  the  apostolic  custom  of  baptism  bv  immersion 
ought  to  be  observed  in  Georgia.''  "lie  bound 
himself  to  no  sect,  but  took  the  ground  that  a  man 
ought  to  study  the  liible  and  the  writings  of  the 
Church  Fathers  of  the1  first  three  centuries,  accept- 
ing what  agreed  with  these  two  sources,  and  re- 
jecting all  else."  He  requested  the  Moravians  to 
use  the  Lord's  Prayer  at  all  their  public  services, 
"since  this  is  acknowledged  to  have-  been  the  cus- 
tom of  the  early  Church."  and  since  that  earlv 
Church  celebrated  the  1  lolv  Communion  every  day. 
he  thought  it  necessary  that  all  members  should 
partake  at  least  on  every  Sunday.  "  lie  also  bad  hi> 
thoughts  concerning  Fast  davs."  Spangenbcrg 
promised  to  lay  these  matters  before  the  congrcga- 


REINFORCEMENTS.  125 

tion,  but  so  far  as  Fast  days  were  concerned,  he 
said  that  while  he  would  observe  them  as  a  matter 
of  conscience  if  he  belonged  to  a  Church  which  re- 
quired them,  he  doubted  the  wisdom  of  forcing 
them  upon  a  Church  in  which  they  were  not  obliga- 
tory. 

On  the  2 1st,  the  periagua  (  "  so  they  call  a  rather 
deep,  large  boat")  came  to  take  the  [Moravians  to 
Savannah,  but  it  was  necessary  to  call  at  the  other 
ship,  as  some  of  their  baggage  had  been  brought 
in  that  vessel.  Spangenberg  went  ahead,  and  found 
that  for  some  reason  the  baggage  could  not  be 
taken  off  that  day.  He  was  pleasantly  received  by 
"  the  younger  ''  Reck,  but  the  Baron  was  absent, 
having  gone  to  see  the  site  to  which  the  Salzburgers 
wished  to  move  their  settlement.  Gen.  Oglethorpe 
having  given  his  permission.  About  the  time  the 
periagua  arrived,  a  heavy  rain  came  up,  and  fearing 
the  effect  on  the  new-comers,  Spangenberg  obtained 
permission  to  take  them  into  the  cabin.  When  ten 
o'clock  came  they  decided  to  wait  no  longer,  and 
started  for  Savannah,  with  the  result  that  they 
spent  the  entire  night  in  the  rain,  in  an  open  boat, 
and  then  had  passed  but  half  way  up  the  river ! 
Early  in  the  morning  Spangenberg  took  two  men, 
and  his  small  boat  and  went  ahead,  stopping  at  Capt. 
Thomson's  ship  to  get  some  things  Korte  had  sent 
them  from  London.  They  reached  Savannah  in  the 
afternoon,  and  before  daybreak  on  Thursday,  Feb. 
23rd,  the  periagua  at  last  landed  its  passengers  at 
Savannah. 

That  evening  Spangenberg  returned  with  Ogle- 
thorpe to  the  ship,  that  various  important  matters 
9 


120  Tnii  MORAVIANS  ix  GEORGIA. 

might  be  more  fully  discussed.  They  agreed,  (i) 
that  the  five  hundred  acres  already  surveyed  for 
Zinzendorf  should  be  retained,  and  settled,  but  that 
it  would  be  wise  to  take  an  additional  five  hundred 
acres  of  more  fertile  land  nearer  Savannah,  where  it 
would  be  more  accessible,  the  grant  to  be  made  to 
Christian  Ludwig  von  Zinzendorf,  the  Count's  eld- 
est son;  (2)  that  no  Moravian  could  accept  a  fifty 
acre  tract  without  pledging  himself  to  military  serv- 
ice, but  land  could  be  secured  for  a  number  of  them 
at  the  rate  of  twenty  acres  apiece,  without  this  obli- 
gation. This  land  could  be  selected  near  Zinzen- 
dorf's  estate,  the  town  to  be  built  on  the  Count's 
property.  If  any  wished  to  leave  the  Moravian 
Congregation,  he  should  receive  twenty  acres  else- 
where for  himself.  (3)  Non-Moravians,  like  John 
Regnier,  might  live  with  them  on  the  same  condi- 
tions. (4)  If  one  of  the  Moravians  died  without 
male  issue,  the  Congregation  should  name  his  suc- 
cessor in  the  title  to  the  land.  (5)  The  promised 
cattle  should  still  be  given. 

It  was  further  arranged  that  Spangenberg  should 
continue  to  hold  the  title  to  his  fifty  acres,  but  with 
the  understanding  that  it  was  in  trust  for  the  Con- 
gregation ;  the  same  to  apply  to  Xitschmann's  land, 
if  desired. 

On  the  25th  and  20th,  a  number  of  Indians  visited 
the  ship,  being  received  with  much  ceremony. 
"  King"  Tomochichi,  and  others,  Spangenberg  had 
often  seen,  and  they  were  formally  presented  to  Mr. 
Wesley,  of  whom  they  had  heard,  and  to  whom  they 
gave  a  flask  of  honey  and  a  flask  of  milk,  with  the 
wish  that  "  the  Great  Word  might  be  to  them  as 


REINFORCEMENTS.  127 

milk  and  honey."  Tomochichi  told  of  his  efforts  to 
keep  peace  among  the  tribes,  in  the  face  of  rumors 
that  the  English  meant  to  enslave  them  all,  and  of 

o 

his  success  so  far,  but  he  feared  the  Indians  were 
not  in  a  frame  of  mind  to  give  much  heed  to  the 
Gospel  message.  Still  he  welcomed  the  attempt, 
and  would  give  what  aid  he  could,  advising  that  the 
missionaries  learn  the  Indian  tongue,  and  that  they 
should  not  baptize, — as  the  Spanish  did, — until  the 
people  were  instructed  and  truly  converted. 

On  Feb.  2/th,  General  Oglethorpe  started  for  the 
Altamaha.  His  journey  to  Georgia  on  this  occa- 
sion had  been  principally  to  protect  the  southern 
borders  of  the  colony  by  establishing  two  new  towns 
on  the  frontier,  and  erecting  several  forts  near  by. 
One  company,  which  sailed  direct  from  Scotland, 
had  landed  in  January,  and  begun  a  settlement  at 
New  Inverness,  on  the  north  bank  of  the  Altamaha, 
and  a  second  was  now  to  be  established  on  St. 
Simon  Island,  and  was  to  be  called  Frederica. 
Oglethorpe  had  expected  to  take  the  Salzburgers 
who  came  on  the  London  Merchant,  to  the  south- 
ward with  him,  but  nearly  all  of  them  decided  that 
they  preferred  to  join  those  of  their  number  who 
were  preparing  to  move  to  New  Ebenezer,  and  the 
General  did  not  insist,  contenting  himself  with  his 
English  soldiers. 

A  periagua  had  been  started  a  little  in  advance  of 
the  sloop  which  bore  the  provisions,  arms,  ammuni- 
tion, and  tools,  and  in  the  evening  Gen.  Oglethorpe 
followed  in  a  swift,  ten-oared  boat,  called, — from 
the  service  in  which  it  was  often  employed, — a  scout 
boat. 


128  THE  MORAVIANS  IN  GEORGIA. 

With  the  General  went  Mr.  Ingham,  and  Lieut. 
Hermsdorf.  The  latter  assured  Spangenberg  that 
he  had  really  meant  little  more  than  to  compliment 
the  General  on  the  occasion  when  he  remarked  "that 
he  would  ask  nothing  better  than  to  follow  him 
through  bush  and  valley,  and  see  him  carry  out  his 
wise  designs,''  that  he  did  not  know  at  that  time  that 
Oglethorpe  was  going  to  the  Altamaha,  nor  how 
far  away  the  Altamaha  was.  But  Spangenberg 
gravely  told  him  that  Gen.  Oglethorpe  had  taken  his 
word  as  that  of  an  honest  man,  and  that  he  would 
not  attempt  to  hold  him  back,  only  he  wished  him 
to  so  demean  himself  as  to  bring  credit  and  not 
shame  to  Zinzendorf  and  the  Moravians,  to  whom 
he  was  at  liberty  to  return  when  he  desired.  Herms- 
dorf. therefore,  went  with  Oglethorpe  and  his  fifty 
men,  was  made  a  Captain  and  was  given  a  position 
of  importance  in  superintending  the  erection  of  the 
necessary  fortifications  on  St.  Simon. 

Benjamin  Ingham's  visit  to  Frederica  proved  to 
be  his  first  unpleasant  experience  in  the  New  World. 
Like  John  \\  esley.  he  came  with  the  strictest  ideas 
of  Sabbath  observance,  etc.,  and  as  one  said,  in  an- 
swer to  a  reproof,  "  these  were  new  laws  in  Ameri- 
ca." The  effect  may  be  summed  up  in  his  own 
words:  "My  chief  business  was  daily  to  visit  the 
people,  to  take  care  of  those  that  were  sick,  and 
to  supply  them  with  the  best  things  we  had.  For  a 
few  days  at  the  first,  1  had  everybody's  good  word  ; 
but  when  they  found  I  watched  narrowly  over  them, 
and  reproved  them  sharply  for  their  faults,  imme- 
diately the  scene  changed.  Instead  of  blessing,  came 
cursing,  and  my  love  and  kindness  were  repaid  with 
hatred  and  ill-will." 


REINFORCEMENTS.  129 

Oglethorpe  remained  on  the  Altamaha  but  a  few 
days,  and  then  returned  to  Savannah  for  the  rest  of 
his  colonists.  Meanwhile  the  Moravian  Congrega- 
tion was  being  fully  organized.  During  Spangen- 
berg's  visit  to  Oglethorpe  on  his  vessel,  the  Mora- 
vians, including  Bishop  Nitschmann,  met  together, 
and  John  Toltschig  was  elected  manager  (Vor- 
steher),  Gottfried  Haberecht,  monitor  (Ermahner), 
and  Gotthard  Demuth  to  perform  various  minor 
duties  (Diener).  The  name  of  the  nurse  (Kranken- 
wurter)  is  not  given,  but  he  was  probably  John 
Regnier,  who  acted  as  physician,  not  only  for  the 
Moravians,  but  for  many  of  their  poorer  neighbors. 
Andrew  Dober  was  associated  with  Toltschig  in  the 
management  of  the  finances,,  and  all  of  these  men 
were  solemnly  inducted  into  office,  it  being  the  cus- 
tom to  give  a  kind  of  specialized  ordination  even  for 
positions  not  commonly  considered  ministerial. 

Three  "  Bands  "  were  formed  among  the  men, — 
smaller  companies  associated  for  religious  improve- 
ment, each  Band  electing  a  leader  charged  with  spe- 
cial oversight  of  the  members.  There  was  one 
among  the  married  men,  one  among  the  unmarried 
men  who  were  communicants,  and  another  for  the 
unmarried  non-communicants,  Toltschig,  Seifert 
and  Rose  being  the  leaders.  The  women  were  or- 
ganized in  like  manner,  though  being  few  in  number 
there  was  probably  but  one  Band  among  them,  under 
Mrs.  Toltschig  who  had  been  appointed  Elderess 
before  leaving  Herrnhut.  There  is  no  reference  to 
the  celebration  of  the  Holy  Communion  by  the  first 
company  during  their  months  of  preparation  in 
Savannah,  nor  had  opportunity  been  given  to  the 


130  THE  MORAVIANS  IN  GEORGIA. 

second  company  since  they  left  the  English  coast, 
but  now,  with  Bishop  Nitschmann  to  preside,  they 
were  able  to  partake  together,  finding  much  blessiny 
therein.  They  resolved  in  the  future  to  commune 
every  two  weeks,  but  soon  formed  the  habit,  per- 
haps under  Wesley's  influence,  of  coming  to  the 
Lord's  Table  every  Sunday. 

When  Spangenberg  returned  to  them,  a  confer- 
ence was  held  each  evening,  and  on  Sunday  they 
had  a  Love  feast,  especially  for  those  who  had  been 
selected  to  superintend  the  material  and  spiritual  af- 
fairs of  the  Congregation. 

On  the  ist  of  March,  John  and  Charles  Wesley 
called  on  them,  and  on  the  6th,  Charles  Wesley  came 
again,  and  "  opened  his  heart  "  to  them.  The  Diary 
calls  him  "an  awakened  but  flighty  man,''  who  had 
come  as  Gov.  Oglethorpe's  secretary,  and  was  now 
about  to  go  to  Frederica  as  pastor  of  that  turbulent 
flock.  From  him  Spangenberg  learned  of  Ogle- 
thorpe's return  from  Altamaha,  and  accompanied 
by  Xitschmann  went  with  him  to  the  ship,  where 
the  Wcsleys  were  still  living.  Two  davs  were  spent 
with  Oglethorpe,  who  promised  to  give  them  ground 
containing  a  good  bed  of  clay,  where  they  could 
make  brick,  which  should  be  sold  to  the  Trustees' 
agent  at  15  shillings  per  1,000,  two-thirds  of  the 
price  to  be  applied  on  their  debt,  and  one-third  to  be 
paid  them  in  cash.  Moreover  several  English  boys 
should  be  apprenticed  to  them  to  learn  the  trade. 
Hemp  and  flax  seed  should  also  be  given  them,  and 
he  urged  them  to  weave  the  linen,  for  they  had  men 
who  understood  the  art,  and  cloth  was  scarce  and 
dear  in  Georgia.  lie  also  advised  them  to  buy  oxen 


RKIXFOKCKM  KNTS.  131 

to  use  in  cultivating  their  land;  and  said  that  they 
should  have  one-third  of  the  grape-vines  he  had 
brought  over  with  him,  another  portion  was  to  be 
given  to  Tomochichi,  the  remainder  to  be  planted  in 
his  own  garden. 

On  the  8th,  Spangenberg  and  Xitschmann  re- 
turned to  Savannah,  and  with  Andrew  Dober  and 
John  Wesley,  (who  had  now  moved  from  the  ship,) 
proceeded  up  the  river  to  Mrs.  Musgrove's,  about 
five  miles  distant.  Wesley  wished  to  select  a  site 
for  a  small  house,  which  Oglethorpe  had  promised  to 
build  for  him.  where  he  and  his  companions  might 
live  while  they  were  studying  the  Indian  language, 
under  Mrs.  Musgrove's  direction.  Xitschmann 
wanted  to  visit  and  talk  with  the  Indian  "'  King,'" 
Tomochichi,  and  Dober  was  trying  to  find  some 
clay  suitable  for  pottery.  The  following  day  they 
returned  to  Savannah,  and  Mr.  Wesley  and  Mr. 
Delamotte  took  up  their  abode  with  the  Moravians, 
as  Mr.  Quincy,  Wesley's  predecessor  in  the  Savan- 
nah pastorate,  had  not  yet  vacated  his  house.  Wes- 
ley writes,  "  We  had  now  an  opportunity,  day  by 
day,  of  observing  their  whole  behaviour.  For  we 

were  in  one  room  with  them  from  morning  to 
night,  unless  for  the  little  time  I  spent  in  walking. 
They  were  always  employed,  always  cheerful  them- 
selves, and  in  good  humor  with  one  another ;  they 
had  put  away  all  anger,  and  strife,  and  wrath,  and 
bitterness,  and  clamor,  and  evil  speaking;  they 
walked  worthy  of  the  vocation  wherewith  they  were 
called,  and  adorned  the  Gospel  of  our  Lord  in  all 

things."  The  impression  thus  made  upon  John 
Wesley  was  lasting,  and  even  during  the  subsequent 


132  Tu  K  MORAVIANS  IN  GKORGIA. 

years  in  England,  when  differences  of  every  kind 
arose  between  him  and  the  Moravians,  and  his 
Journal  is  full  of  bitter  denunciations  of  doctrines 
and  practices  which  he  did  not  understand,  and  with 
which  he  was  not  in  sympathy,  he  now  and  again  in- 
terrupts himself  to  declare,  "  I  can  not  speak  of  them 
but  with  tender  affection,  were  it  only  for  the  bene- 
fits I  have  received  from  them." 

An  event  which  occurred  on  March  loth,  is  of 
more  than  local  interest,  in  that  it  is  the  first  un- 
questioned instance  of  the  exercise  of  episcopal 
functions  in  the  United  States.  Prior  to  this,  and 
for  a  number  of  years  later,  clergymen  of  the 
Church  of  England,  and  English-speaking  Catholic 
priests,  were  ordained  in  the  Old  World,  before 
coming  to  the  New,  remaining  under  the  control  of 
the  Bishop  and  of  the  Vicar  Apostolic  of  London, 
while  the  Spanish  Catholics  were  under  the  Suf- 
fragan of  Santiago  dc  Cuba,  and  the  French  Catho- 
lics under  the  Bishop  of  Quebec.  Tradition  men- 
tions the  secret  consecration  of  two  Bishops  of 
Pennsylvania  before  this  time,  but  its  authenticity  is 
doubted,  and  the  two  men  did  not  exercise  any 
episcopal  powers.  Therefore  when  Bishop  Xitsch- 
mann  came  to  Georgia,  and  in  the  presence  of  the 
Moravian  Congregation  at  Savannah  ordained  one 
of  their  number  to  be  their  pastor,  he  was  uncon- 
sciously doing  one  of  the  "  first  things  ''  which  are 
so  interesting  to  every  lover  of  history. 

\\  hencvcr  it  was  possible  the  Moravians  spent 
Saturday  afternoon  and  evening  in  rest,  praver,  and 
conference,  and  on  this  occasion  four  services  were 
held  at  short  intervals. 


DAVID    XITSCIIMAXN"    I  K|>i-( 


REINFORCEMENTS.  133 

At  the  first  service  the  singing  of  a  hymn  was  fol- 
lowed by  the  reading  of  Psa.  84,  a  discourse  there- 
on, and  prayer.  The  second  was  devoted  to  reading 
letters  from  Germany,  and  some  discussion  as  to 
Hermsdorf  and  his  relation  to  the  Congregation. 
The  third  service  was  the  important  one,  and  the 
following  account  was  recorded  in  the  Diary. 
"When  we  re-assembled  the  question:  'Must  not 
our  Congregation  have  a  Chief  Elder  (Acltester)  ?' 
was  presented  for  discussion.  All  thought  it  neces- 
sary, and  were  unanimous  in  their  choice  of  Anton 
Seifert,  and  no  other  was  even  suggested.  While 
his  name  was  being  considered,  he  was  sent  from 
the  room,  and  when  he  had  been  recalled,  we  sang 
a  hymn,  and  Xitschmann  and  Toltschig  led  the  Con- 
gregation in  most  earnest  prayer.  Then  Xitsch- 
mann delivered  an  earnest  charge,  setting  before 
him  the  importance  of  his  office,  which  made  him 
the  foremost  member  of  the  Congregation,  espe- 
cially in  times  of  danger,  for  in  the  early  Church,  as 
well  as  among  our  forefathers  in  Moravia,  the  bish- 
ops were  ever  the  first  victims.  He  was  asked  if  he 
would  freely  and  willingly  give  up  his  life  for  the 
Congregation  and  the  Lord  Jesus.  He  answered. 
'Yes.'  Then  he  was  reminded  of  the  evil  which 
arose  when  bishops,  seeing  their  power  in  a  Congre- 
gation, began  to  exalt  themselves,  and  to  make  out- 
ward show  of  their  pre-eminence.  He  was  asked 
whether  he  would  recognize  as  evil,  abjure,  and  at 
once  suppress  any  inclination  he  might  feel  toward 
pride  in  his  position  as  Chief  Elder,  and  his  larger 
authoritv.  He  answered  with  a  grave  and  thought- 

o  o 

ful  'Yes.'     Then  our  Xitschmann  prayed  over  him 


134  TiiF,  MORAVIANS  ix  GKORGIA. 

earnestly,  and  ordained  him  to  his  office  with  the 
laying  on  of  hands.  Nitschmann  was  uncommonly 
aroused  and  happy,  but  Anton  Scifert  was  very 
humhle  and  quiet."  John  Wesley,  who  was  pres- 
ent, wrote  ''The  great  simplicity,  as  well  as  solem- 
nity, of  the  whole,  almost  made  me  forget  the  seven- 
teen hundred  years  between,  and  imagine  myself  in 
one  of  those  assemblies  where  form  and  state  were 
not ;  but  Paul  the  tent-maker,  or  Peter  the  fisher- 
man, presided;  yet  with  the  demonstration  of  the 
Spirit  and  of  power." 

Both  Wesley  and  Benjamin  Ingham  refer  to  Sei- 
fert  as  a  "bishop,"  which  is  a  mistake,  though  a  nat- 
ural one.  Weslev  was  present  at  the  ordination,  and 
heard  the  charge,  with  example  and  warning  drawn 
from  the  actions  of  earlier  bishops ;  while  Ingham, 
in  the  course  of  several  long  conversations  with 
Toltschig  concerning  the  Moravian  Episcopate  and 
Seifert's  ordination,  asked  "is  Anton  a  bishop?"  and 
was  answered,  "yes,  for  our  Congregation."  This 
was  in  view  of  the  fact  that  Bishop  Nitschmann,  in 
ordaining  Seifert.  had  empowered  him  to  delegate 
another  member  to  hold  the  Communion,  baptize, 
or  perform  the  marriage  ceremony  in  case  of  his 
sickness  or  necessary  absence.  At  that  time  the 
Moravian  Church  was  just  beginning  to  form  her 
own  ministry,  the  ranks  of  Deacon.  Presbyter  and 
Bishop  were  not  fully  organized,  and  the  definite 
system  was  only  established  by  the  Tenth  General 
Synod  of  the  Church  in  1/45.  The  exigencies  of 
the  case  required  large  powers  for  a  man  serving  in 
an  isolated  field,  and  they  were  given  him,  but 


REINFORCEMENTS.  135 

strictly  speaking-,  Seifert  was  only  ordained  a  Dea- 
con, and  never  was  consecrated  Bishop. 

The  fourth  and  last  service  of  the  day  was  given 
up  to  song,  a  discourse,  and  prayer. 

On  Sunday,  March  nth,  after  morning  prayers, 
Wesley  w7ent  to  Tybce  for  an  interview  with  Gen- 
eral Oglethorpe.  At  a  general  gathering  of  the 
Moravians  later  in  the  day,  the  second  chapter  of 
Acts  was  read,  with  special  reference  to  the  last 
four  verses,  and  the  description  of  the  first  congre- 
gation of  Christ's  followers,  when  "all  that  believed 
were  together,  and  had  all  things  common,'"  w'as 
taken  as  the  pattern  of  their  "Gemeinschaft."  This 
plan,  which  had  already  been  tested  during  the  first 
year,  proved  so  advantageous  that  it  was  later 
adopted  by  other  American  Moravian  settlements, 
being  largely  responsible  for  their  rapid  growth 
during  their  earlv  years,  though  in  each  case  there 

Zj  -       _-  o 

came  a  time  when  it  hindered  further  progress,  and 
was  therefore  abandoned.  In  religious  matters,  the 
organization  of  the  Savannah  Congregation  had 
been  modeled  after  that  at  Herrnhut,  so  far  as  pos- 
sible, but  in  material  things  the  circumstances  were 
very  different.  At  Herrnhut  the  estates  of  Count 
Zinzendorf,  under  the  able  supervision  of  the 
Countess,  were  made  to  pay  practically  all  the  gen- 
eral Church  expenses,  and  many  of  the  members 
were  in  the  service  of  the  Saxon  nobleman,  Nicholas 
Lewis,  Count  Zinzendorf,  in  various  humble  posi- 
tions, even  while  in  the  Church  he  divested  himself 
of  his  rank  and  fraternized  with  them  as  social 
equals.  But  the  men  who  emigrated  to  Georgia 
had  undertaken  to  support  themselves  and  carry  on 


136  TIIK  MORAVIANS  IN  GEORGIA. 

a  mission  work,  and  Spangenberg,  with  his  keen 
insight,  grasped  the  idea  that  a  common  purpose 
warranted  a  community  of  service,  the  labor  of  all 
for  the  benefit  of  all,  with  every  duty,  no  matter  how 
menial,  done  as  unto  the  Lord,  whom  they  all,  in 
varying  degrees,  acknowledged  as  their  Master. 
Later,  in  Bethlehem,  Pa.,  with  a  larger  number  of 
colonists,  and  wider  interests  to  be  subserved,  Span- 
genberg again  introduced  the  plan,  and  elaborated  it 
into  a  more  or  less  intricate  system,  which  is  de- 
scribed in  a  clear  and  interesting  manner  in  ''A  His- 
tory of  Bethlehem,"  by  Rt.  Rev.  J.  Mortimer  Lev- 
ering, which  has  recently  been  published. 

Xot  only  on  account  of  its  successor  the  "Oeco- 
nomie,"  at  Bethlehem,  and  others  copied  therefrom, 
but  in  view  of  the  various  modern  attempts  which 
have  been  and  are  still  being  made  to  demonstrate 
that  the  action  of  the  early  Church  at  Jerusalem 
can  be  duplicated  and  made  financially  successful, 
it  is  worth  while  to  rescue  the  resolutions  of  the 
Moravian  Congregation  at  Savannah  from  the  obliv- 
ion of  the  manuscript  Diary,  in  which  they  have 
been  so  long  concealed,  noting  the  claim  that  this 
was  the  first  time  since  Apostolic  days,  that  a  Con- 
gregation had  formed  itself  into  such  a  "Society, "- 
a  "Gemeinschaft." 

''In  our  gathering  we  read  Acts  IF,  and  spoke  of 
the  Gemeinschaft,  for  we  arc  planning  to  work,  to 
sow  and  reap,  and  to  suffer  with  one  another.  This 
will  be  very  useful,  for  many  a  man  who  has  not 
understood  or  exerted  himself,  will  by  this  means 
see  himself  and  be  led  to  improve.  Others  also  will 
sec  from  it  that  we  love  each  other,  and  will  glorify 


REINFORCEMENTS.  137 

the  Father  in  Heaven.  There  has  been  no  "society" 
like  that  at  Jerusalem,  but  at  this  present  time  it  be- 
comes necessary,  for  material  reasons.  Were  we 
only  individuals  all  would  fear  to  give  one  of  us 
credit,  for  they  would  think,  'he  might  die,'  but 
nothing  will  be  denied  the  'Society,'  for  each  stands 
for  the  other.  Each  member  must  work  diligent- 
ly, since  he  does  not  labor  for  himself  alone  but  for 
his  brethren,  and  this  will  prevent  much  laziness. 
Xo  one  must  rely  on  the  fact  that  he  understands  a 
handicraft,  and  so  on,  for  there  is  a  curse  on  him 
who  relies  on  human  skill  and  forgets  the  Divine 
power.  No  one  will  be  pressed  to  give  to  the  'So- 
ciety' any  property  which  has  hitherto  belonged  to 
him. — Each  person  present  was  asked  if  he  had  any 
remarks  to  make,  but  there  were  no  objections  rais- 
ed. Moreover  the  brethren  were  told  that  if  one 
should  fall  so  low  that  he  not  only  withdrew  himself 
from  the  brethren,  but  was  guilty  of  gross  sin,  he 
would  be  forced  to  work  for  another  master  until 
he  had  earned  enough  to  pay  his  transportation  here 
and  back  again,  for  we  would  not  willingly  permit 
such  a  man  to  remain  in  the  land  as  an  offence  to 
the  Indians." 

It  is  interesting  to  observe  that  care  for  the  poor 
Indians  is  the  argument  given  for  the  course  to  be 
pursued  in  dealing  with  a  recreant  member !  They 
had  come  to  preach  the  Gospel  to  the  Indians,  and 
did  not  propose  that  evil  should  be  learned  through 
fault  of  theirs. 

At  his  earnest  request,  John  Regnier  was  now  ad- 
mitted to  the  '"Society,"  his  presence  among  them 
so  far  having  been  without  distinct  agreement 


138  THE  MORAVIANS  IN  GEORGIA. 

as  to  his  standing.  This  did  not  make  him  a  com- 
municant member  of  the  Church,  simply  put  him  on 
a  par  with  the  other  non-communicants,  of  whom 
there  were  quite  a  number  in  the  Congregation. 

In  the  evening  Anton  Seifert,  so  recently  ordain- 
ed Chief  Elder,  or  pastor,  of  the  Congregation,  offi- 
ciated for  the  first  time  at  a  Confirmation  service, 
the  candidate  being  Jacob  Frank.  Pie  had  been  in 
poor  health  when  the  second  company  left  Ger- 
many, and  Count  Zinzendorf  had  advised  him  not 
to  go,  but  his  heart  was  set  on  it,  and  he  would  not 
be  persuaded.  lie  grew  worse  during  the  voyage 
and  was  now  very  ill  with  dropsy,  but  in  such  a 
beautiful  Christian  spirit  that  no  one  could  deny 
his  wish  for  full  membership  in  the  Church.  Hav- 
ing given  satisfactory  answers  to  the  searching 
questions  put  to  him,  the  blessing  was  laid  upon  his 
head,  and  he  expressed  so  great  a  desire  to  partake 
of  the  Lord's  Supper  that  his  request  was  imme- 
diately granted,  the  Klders  and  Helpers  (Heifer) 
communing  with  him.  Two  or  three  days  later  he 
asked  Spangenberg  to  write  his  will,  and  then  his 
strength  gradually  failed,  until  on  March  iQth,  he 
"passed  to  the  Lord,"  leaving  to  his  associates  the 
remembrance  of  his  willing  and  happy  departure. 

The  term  "Helpers"  was  used  to  express  in  a  gen- 
eral way  all  those,  both  men  and  women,  who  were 
charged  with  the  spiritual  and  temporal  affairs  of 
the  Congregation.  Many  of  the  words  employed  as 
official  titles  by  the  Moravians  were  given  a  special- 
ized significance  which  makes  it  difficult  to  find  an 
exact  English  equivalent  for  them,  though  they  are 
always  apt  when  the  meaning  is  understood.  Per- 


REINFORCEMENTS.  139 

haps  the  best  example  of  this  is  "Diener,"  which 
means  "servant,"  according  to  the  dictionary,  and 
was  used  to  designate  those  who  "served"  the  Con- 
gregation in  various  ways.  Until  quite  recently  a 
Lovefeast,  held  annually  in  Salem,  N.  C.,  for  mem- 
bers of  Church  Boards,  Sunday-School  Teachers, 
Church  Choir,  Ushers,  etc.  was  familiarly  known 
as  "the  Servants'  Lovefeast,"  a  direct  inheritance 
from  the  earlier  days.  It  is  now  more  commonly 
called  "the  Workers'  Lovefeast,"  an  attempt  to 
unite  "Helper"  and  "Diener"  in  a  term  understood 
by  all. 

At  a  "Helpers'  Conference"  held  on  March  I3th, 
it  was  decided  to  have  nothing  more  to  do  with 
Vollmar,  the  Wittenberg  carpenter,  who  had  crossed 
with  the  second  company,  had  proved  false  and 
malicious,  and  had  now  joined  Herr  von  Reek's 
party  without  the  consent  of  the  Moravians.  More 
important,  however,  than  the  Vollmar  affair,  was 
the  proposed  departure  of  Spangenberg  for  Penn- 
sylvania. Most  faithfully  had  he  fulfilled  his  com- 
mission to  take  the  first  company  of  Moravians  to 
Georgia,  and  settle  them  there,  patiently  had  he 
labored  for  and  with  them  during  their  days  of 
greatest  toil  and  privation,  controlling  his  own  de- 
sire to  keep  his  promise  and  go  to  the  Schwenk- 
felders,  who  were  complaining  with  some  bitterness 
of  his  broken  faith  ;  but  now  his  task  was  ended,  the 
Savannah  Congregation  was  ready  to  be  thrown  on 
its  own  resources.  Gen.  Oglethorpe  had  provided 
him  with  letters  of  introduction,  and  the  "lot"  said, 
"Let  him  go,  for  the  Lord  is  with  him." 

Final  questions  were  asked  and  answered.  Span- 


140  TIIK  MORAVIANS  ix  GEORGIA. 

genberg's  Commission  was  delivered  to  him,  and 
then  liishop  Xitschmann  "laid  his  blessing  upon" 
him.  In  the  Lutheran  Church,  to  which  he  belong- 
ed before  he  joined  the  Moravians,  Spangenberg 
had  been  an  accredited  minister  of  the  Gospel.  The 
Church  of  England  refused  to  acknowledge  the  val- 
idity of  Lutheran  ordination,  because  that  Church 
had  no  Episcopate,  but  the  Moravians,  influenced  by 
Count  Zinzcndorf,  himself  a  Lutheran  by  birth, 
broad-minded,  liberal,  and  devout,  did  not  hesitate 
to  fraternize  with  the  Lutherans,  or  even  to  accept 
the  Sacraments  at  the  hands  of  Pastor  Rothe.  in 
charge  of  the  Parish  Church  of  Berthelsdorf.  At 
the  same  time  thev  prized  the  Episcopate  lately 
transferred  to  them  from  the  ancient  I'nitas  Fra- 
trum,  and  while  continuing  in  free  fellowship  with 
Christians  of  all  denominational  names,  they  now 
intended  to  so  ordain  their  own  ministry  that  no 
church  could  question  it.  When  the  three  grades 
were  established  in  1745.  a  license  to  preach  granted 
by  the  Lutheran  Church  was  considered  equivalent 
to  the  rank  of  Deacon,  ordination  in  the  Moravian 
Church  making  the  minister  a  Presbyter. 

Xow  fully  equipped  for  his  mission  to  the  English 
Colony  of  Pennsylvania,  Spangenberg  left  Savan- 
nah on  March  I5th.  going  on  Capt.  Dunbar's  ship  to 
Port  Royal,  where  he  lodged  with  a  man  who  was 
born  in  Europe,  his  wife  in  Africa,  their  child  in 
Asia,  and  they  were  all  now  living  in  America! 
T'rom  Port  Royal  he  went  by  land  almost  to  Charles- 
town,  the  last  short  distance  being  in  a  chance 
boat,  and  from  Charleslown  he  sailed  to  New  York. 


RE  i  x  FORCE  M  EX  TS.  141 

From  there  he  proceeded  to  Philadelphia,  and  to  the 
Schwenkfelders,  making  his  home  with  Christopher 
Wiegner  on  his  farm  in  the  Skippack  woods,  where 
George  Bohnisch  was  also  living.  Spangenberg 
worked  on  the  farm  that  he  might  not  he  a  harden 
to  his  host,  and  might  meet  the  neighbors  in  a  fami- 
liar way,  meanwhile  making  numerous  acquaint- 
ances, and  gaining  much  valuable  information. 

Bishop  Xitschmann  remained  in  Savannah  until 
March  26th,  when  he  sailed  to  Charlestown.  There 
he  was  detained  ten  days  waiting  for  a  northbound 
ship,  and  employed  the  time  in  delivering  several 
letters  of  introduction,  and  learning  all  he  could 
about  Carolina,  and  the  conditions  there.  On  the 
28th  of  April  he  reached  Xew  York,  and  left  on  the 
9th  of  May  for  Philadelphia,  going  partly  by  boat, 
and  partly  on  foot,  reaching  there  on  the  I3th.  Six 
weeks  he  and  Spangenberg  spent  together,  visiting 
many  neighborhoods,  and  informing  themselves  as 
to  the  religious  and  material  outlook  in  Pennsyl- 
vania, and  then  Nitschmann  sailed  for  Germany. 

His  report  gave  a  new  turn  to  the  American 
plans,  for  both  he  and  Spangenberg  were  much 
pleased  with  Pennsylvania.  Quite  a  number  of  the 
settlers  seemed  open  to  the  idea  of  mutual  aid  in 
the  spiritual  life,  material  conditions  were  very  dif- 
ferent from  those  in  Georgia  and  better  suited  to  the 
Moravian  needs,  the  Quaker  Governor  was  not  likely 
to  force  military  service  upon  people  who  held 
the  same  theories  as  himself  in  regard  to  warfare, 
and  there  were  large  tribes  of  Indians  within  easy 
reach,  to  whom  the  Gospel  might  be  preached.  As 

10 


142  THE  MORAVIANS  IN  GEORGIA. 

troubles  thickened  in  Savannah,  therefore,  the  heads 
of  the  Church  at  Herrnhut  began  to  look  toward 
Pennsylvania,  and  ultimately  sent  thither  the  larger 
companies  originally  destined  for  Georgia. 

In  August,  Spangcnberg  went  to  visit  the  Mora- 
vian Mission  on  the  island  of  St.  Thomas,  returning 
to  Pennsylvania  in  November,  where  he  remained 
until  the  following  vcar. 


CHAPTER  V. 
THE  SECOND  YEAR  IN  GEORGIA. 

THE    ENGLISH    CLERGYMEN. 

The  same  day  that  Bishop  Nitschmann  left  Sa- 
vannah, John  Wesley,  moved  into  the  parsonage 
which  had  just  been  vacated  by  his  predecessor,  Mr. 
Quincy.  A  week  earlier  he  had  entered  upon  his 
ministry  at  Savannah,  being  met  by  so  large  and 
attentive  an  audience  that  he  was  much  encouraged, 
and  began  with  zeal  to  perform  his  pastoral  duties. 
He  was  the  third  Rector  of  the  Savannah  Parish, 
the  Rev.  Henry  Herbert  having  been  the  first,  and 
he  preached  in  a  rude  chapel  built  on  the  lot  re- 
served for  a  house  of  worship  in  the  original  plan 
of  Savannah,— the  site  of  the  present  Christ  Church. 

The  first  word  of  discouragement  was  brought  by 
Ingham,  who  returned  from  Frederica  on  April 
loth,  with  a  message  from  Charles  Wesley  begging 
his  brother  to  come  to  his  relief.  He  told  a  woeful 
story  of  persecution  by  the  settlers,  and  injustice 
from  Oglethorpe  to  Charles  Wesley,  all  unde- 
served, as  Oglethorpe  freely  admitted  when  he 
threw  off  the  weight  of  suspicion  laid  upon  his  mind 
by  malicious  slanderers,  and  sought  an  interview 
with  his  young  secretary,  in  which  much  was  ex- 
plained and  forgiven.  But  poor  Charles  was  in 
great  straits  when  he  sent  Ingham  to  Savannah, 


144  '^11K  MORAVIANS  IN  GEORGIA. 

sick,  slighted,  and  abused,  deprived  even  of  the  ne- 
cessaries of  life,  and  so  cast  down  that  on  one  occa- 
sion he  exclaimed,  "Thanks  he  to  God,  it  is  not  yet 
made  a  capital  offence  to  give  me  a  morsel  of 
bread  !" 

\Veslev  obeyed  the  summons,  taking  Delamotte 
with  him,  Ingham  caring  for  the  Church  and  Dela- 
motte's  school  during  their  absence.  There  were 
poor  school  facilities  in  Savannah  prior  to  Dela- 
motte's  arrival,  and  he  at  once  saw  the  need,  and 
devoted  himself  to  it.  Delamotte  seems  to  have 
been  a  quiet  man.  who  took  little  share  in  the  ag- 
gressive work  of  his  companions,  and  consequently 
escaped  the  abuse  which  was  heaped  upon  them. 

On  April  22nd.  Ingham  sent  an  invitation  to 
Toltschig  to  visit  him,  and  this  was  the  beginning 
of  a  close  personal  friendship  which  lasted  for  the 
rest  of  their  lives,  and  of  such  a  constant  intercourse 
between  Ingham  and  the  .Moravian  Church,  that  he 
is  often  supposed  to  have  become  a  member  of  it, 
though  he  reallv  never  severed  his  connection  with 
the  Church  of  England.  Toltschig  speaks  of  him 
as  "a  very  young  man,  about  24  or  25  years  of  age. 
who  has  main  good  impulses  in  his  soul,  and  is 
much  auakened."  He  had  come  to  Georgia  for  the 
sole  purpose  of  bearing  the  Gospel  message  to  the 
Indians,  and  it  was  through  him  that  the -Moravians 
were  finally  able  to  begin  their  missionary  work. 

When  Wesley  and  Delamotte  returned  from 
Frederica,  the  former  resumed  his  association  with 
the  Moravians,  continuing  to  join  in  their  Sunday 
evening  service,  and  translating  some  of  their  hymns 
into  English. 


THE  SECOND  YEAR  ix  GEORGIA.  145 

In  May  two  questions  were  asked  of  Toltschig, 
upon  the  answering  of  which  there  depended  more 
than  any  one  imagined.  The  Diary  says, — "The 
20th,  was  Sunday. — Mr.  Ingham  asked  if  we  could 
not  recognize  and  receive  him  as  our  brother;  to 
•which  I  replied,  that  he  did  not  know  us  well 
enough,  nor  we  him,  we  must  first  understand  each 
other  better.  On  the  2ist,  Mr.  Wesley  spoke  with 
me,  and  asked  me  the  selfsame  question.  I  said  to 
him  that  we  had  seen  much  of  him  day  by  day,  and 
that  it  was  true  that  he  loved  us  and  we  loved  him, 
but  that  we  did  not  so  quickly  admit  any  one  into 
our  Congregation."  Then  at  his  request  Toltschig 
outlined  the  Moravian  view  of  conversion,  and  the 
requisites  for  church-membership. 

A  few  days  later  Charles  Wesley  unexpectedly  re- 
turned from  Frederica,  and  Oglethorpe  sent  word 
that  either  John  Wesley  or  Ingham  should  come 
down  in  his  place.  The  latter  was  by  no  means 
anxious  to  go, — his  former  experience  had  not  been 
agreeable,  but  the  reason  he  gave  the  Moravians 
was  that  a  number  of  Indian  traders  were  soon  to 
visit  Savannah,  and  he  was  very  anxious  to  see 
them.  They  advised  him  to  be  guided  by  John 
Wesley's  wish,  which  he  agreed  to  do,  and  then 
found  that  Wesley  had  decided  to  go  himself. 

During  the  weeks  that  followed,  Ingham  and 
Charles  Wesley  were  frequently  with  Toltschig, 
who  answered  as  best  he  could  their  many  questions 
regarding  the  history  of  the  Moravian  Episcopate, 
a  matter  of  vital  importance  to  a  strict  member  of 
the  Church  of  England  who  was  thinking  of  allying 
himself  with  them.  Everything  they  heard  con- 


146  THE  MORAVIANS  IN  GEORGIA. 

firmed  Ingham  in  his  intention,  and  when  John  Wes- 
ley returned  in  July  he  and  Ingham  again  made  ap- 
plication "to  be  received  as  brethren  in  our  Con- 
gregation, and  to  go  with  us  to  the  Lord's  Table. 
We  entirely  refused  to  admit  them  into  the  Congre- 
gation, and  I  (Toltschig)  gave  them  the  reasons 
therefor:  (i)  That  we  did  not  know  them  well 
enough;  (2)  and  that  they  perhaps  did  not  know  us 
well  enough,  both  things  which  we  considered  high- 
ly important;  and  (3)  that  their  circumstances  and 
situation  were  such  that  it  would  be  difficult  if  not 
impossible  for  them  to  comply  with  the  requirements 
of  such  admission."  The  promises  expected  from  a 
Confirmand,- — to  which  they  also  must  have  bound 
themselves, — are  thus  summarized.  "To  give  body 
and  soul  to  the  Lord  now  and  forever ;  to  devote  and 
dedicate  himself  to  the  service  of  the  Unity,  accord- 
ing to  the  grace  and  gifts  bestowed  on  him  by  the 
Saviour;  and  willingly  to  submit  to  the  discipline 
and  regulations  which  the  Unity  has  established  for 
the  welfare  and  improvement  of  souls."  Could 
these  two  men,  in  the  zeal  and  vigor  of  their  youth, 
honestly  have  made  these  promises,  the  Moravian 
Church  would  have  gained  two  invaluable  co-work- 
ers, but  they  seem  to  have  accepted  Toltschig's  ar- 
gument as  conclusive,  and  dropped  the  matter,  with 
no  ill-will  or  disturbance  of  the  existing  pleasant 
relations. 

Concerning  the  Communion  "we  assured  them 
that  we  loved  them,  and  would  welcome  them  as 
honored  guests  at  the  Lord's  Supper,  for  we  believ- 
ed that  they  loved  the  Lord."  This  invitation,  how- 
ever, the  young  clergymen  would  not  accept. 


THE  SECOND  YEAR  ix   GEORGIA.  147 

On  the  6th  of  August,  Charles  Wesley  left  for 
England,  bearing  dispatches  to  the  Trustees,  and 
with  the  hope  of  interesting  others  in  the  evangeliz- 
ing of  the  Indians.  He  meant  himself  to  return  to 
Georgia,  but  feeble  health  prevented,  and  he  re- 
signed his  office  as  Secretary  to  Gen.  Oglethorpe  the 
following  May.  His  brother  John  accompanied 
him  to  Charlestown,  and  then  went  to  Frederica  to 
deliver  certain  letters  to  Gen.  Oglethorpe.  He 
found  there  was  "less  and  less  prospect  of  doing 
good  at  Frederica,  many  there  being  extremely 
zealous,  and  indefatigably  diligent  to  prevent  it," 
his  opposers  even  attempting  personal  violence.  One 
''lady''  tried  to  shoot  him,  and  when  he  seized  her 
hands  and  took  away  her  pistol,  she  maliciously  bit 
a  great  piece  out  of  his  arm.  Still  he  made  two 
more  visits  to  the  place,  and  then  in  "utter  despair 
of  doing  good  there,"  took  his  final  leave  of  Frede- 
rica. 

WORK  AMONG  THE  INDIANS. 

When  the  Moravians  adopted  the  conversion  of 
the  Indians  as  their  main  object  for  settling  in 
America,  they  were  greatly  influenced  by  the  attract- 
ive descriptions  of  the  "wild  people"  which  were 
being  published.  In  a  "Report,"  ascribed  to  Gen.  Og- 
lethorpe, it  is  stated  that  "nothing  is  lacking  for  their 
conversion  to  the  Christian  faith  except  a  knowledge 
of  their  language,  for  they  already  have  an  admir- 
able conception  of  morals,  and  their  conduct  agrees 
perfectly  therewith.  They  have  a  horror  of  adultery, 
and  disapprove  of  polygamy.  Thieving  is  un- 
known to  them.  Murder  is  considered  an  abomin- 


148  TIIK  MORAVIANS  IN  GEORGIA. 

able  crime,  and  no  one  may  be  killed  except  an 
enemy,  when  they  esteem  it  a  virtue.''  This,  like 
too  many  a  description  written  then  and  now  to  ex- 
ploit a  colonizing  scheme,  was  far  too  good  to  be 
true.  The  Indians  proved  apt  learners,  but  of  the 
vices  rather  than  the  virtues  of  the  English,  and 
drunkenness  with  all  its  attendant  evils,  was  quickly 
introduced.  Afraid  of  their  dusky  neighbors,  anx- 
ious to  keep  on  good  terms  with  them,  distrusting 
their  loyalty  to  the  English  under  the  bribes  offered 
by  French  and  Spanish,  the  Government  tried  to 
limit  the  intercourse  between  the  Indians  and  the 
settlers  as  much  as  possible,  treating  the  former  as 
honored  guests  whenever  they  came  to  Savannah, 
but  forbidding  the  latter  to  go  to  them  without  spe- 
cial permit  in  times  of  peace,  and  not  at  all  in 
time  of  war. 

When  the  Moravians  came  the  restlessness  which 
presaged  war  was  stirring  among  the  tribes,  becom- 
ing more  and  more  pronounced,  and  one  of  the 
Indian  Chiefs  said  frankly,  "Now  our  enemies  are 
all  about  us,  and  we  can  do  nothing  but  fight,  but  if 
the  I'.eloved  Ones  should  ever  give  us  to  be  at  peace, 
then  we  would  hear  the  Great  Word." 

Tomochichi,  indeed,  bade  the  missionaries  wel- 
come, and  promised  to  do  all  in  his  power  to  gain 
admission  for  them  into  all  parts  of  his  nation,  but 
the  time  was  not  ripe,  nor  was  his  influence  equal 
to  his  good-will.  Though  called  a  '"king,"  he  was 
only  chief  of  a  small  tribe  living  some  four  or  five 
miles  from  Savannah,  part  of  the  Creek  Confeder- 
acy, which  was  composed  of  a  number  of  remnants, 
gradually  merged  into  one  "nation."  The  "Upper 


TOMO  CITACIII  MICO 

odci1   l\(")iii»-  \"(in  Yiiiiiacran  und  Tooanaliowi   Seines   Hnnlcr* 

<le>    Mien   oiler    Knni^es    \'on    l'!tichita>    Solni. 

nac-li   (lein    Lnndi-i-lien    Original    in    Aii«z's])iir^    nachpostochon 

von 

Joh  Jacob  Kleiusclimidt. 


THE  SECOND  YEAR  IN  GEORGIA.  149 

Creeks"  lived  about  the  head  waters  of  the  creeks 
from  which  they  took  their  name,  and  the  "Lower 
Creeks,"  including'  Tomochichi's  people,  were  near- 
er the  sea-coast.  Ingham,  whose  heart  was  set  on 
the  Indian  work,  was  at  first  very  anxious  to  go  to 
the  Cherokees,  who  lived  near  the  mountains,  at  a 
considerable  distance  from  Savannah,  having  been 
told  that  they  had  a  desire  to  hear  the  "Great 
Word."  On  April  22nd,  he  spoke  of  his  wish  to 
Toltschig,  inviting  Seifert  and,  if  they  chose,  an- 
other Moravian  to  join  him  in  the  work.  It  was 
the  best  opportunity  that  had  yet  offered,  and  Sei- 
fert wanted  to  go  to  the  Indians,  having  already 
studied  their  language  as  best  he  could,  but  they 
hesitated  to  undertake  the  work  conjointly  with  Ing- 
ham.  After  some  time  the  Cherokee  plan  was 
abandoned.  Oglethorpe  objected  on  account  of  the 
danger  that  they  would  be  intercepted  and  killed,  it 
being  a  fourteen  day  land  journey  to  reach  the 
Cherokee  country,  and  he  positively  refused  to  let 
John  Wesley  go  because  that  would  leave  Savannah 
without  a  minister.  Toltschig  says  Wesley's  inter- 
est in  the  Indian  work  failed,  and  another  writer 
says  he  gave  up  the  work  because  he  could  not  learn 
the  Indian  language,  but  Wesley  lays  all  the  blame 
on  Oglethorpe. 

In  January,  1737,  the  question  of  going  to  the 
Upper  Creeks  was  submitted  to  the  "lot/"  and  the 
Moravians  were  bidden  to  wait  for  another  opening. 
Meanwhile  an  actual  beginning  had  been  made 
among  the  Lower  Creeks.  On  the  7th  of  May,  Ing- 
ham  and  John  Wesley  went  up  the  river  to  the 
home  of  Mrs.  Musgrove,  the  half-breed  woman  who 


150  TJIK  MORAVIANS  IN  GEORGIA. 

at  this  time  was  of  such  great  use  as  interpreter  and 
mediator  between  the  Indians  and  the  English.  Ar- 
rangements were  made  by  which  Ingham  should 
spend  three  days  of  each  week  with  her,  teaching 
her  children  to  read  in  exchange  for  instruction  in 
the  Indian  language.  The  other  three  or  four  days 
were  to  be  spent  in  Savannah,  communicating  to 
Wesley  the  knowledge  he  had  acquired,  Anton  Sei- 
fert  sharing  in  the  lessons. 

On  the  i<Hh  of  June,  the  Moravians  held  a  meet- 
ing to  determine  whether  the  time  had  come  for 
them  to  take  up  the  Indian  work  in  earnest.  The 
"lot"  was  appealed  to,  and  the  answer  being  that 
the  language  should  be  learned.  Scifert,  George 
Xeisser  and  John  Bohner  were  appointed  to  make 
diligent  use  of  Ingham's  instructions.  The  fre- 
quent visits  of  Tomochichi  and  his  people  to  Savan- 
nah gave  them  an  opportunity  to  practice  speaking, 
for  the  Moravan  house  was  always  open  to  the  red 
men,  and  food  and  drink  wrere  theirs  at  any  time  of 
day,  a  fact  of  which  the  visitors  were  not  slow  to 
take  advantage. 

The  "lot"  had  so  great  an  influence  on  the  prog- 
ress of  affairs  in  the  Moravian  Congregation  at  Sa- 
vannah from  this  time  on  that  it  is  necessary  to  un- 
derstand how  the  institution  was  regarded.  The 
use  of  the  lot  was  common  in  Old  Testament  days; 
and  in  the  Xew  Testament  it  is  recorded  that  when 
an  apostle  was  to  be  chosen  to  take  the  place  of  the 
traitor,  Judas,  the  lot  decided  between  two  men 
who  had  been  selected  as  in  every  way  suited  for 
the  place.  Following  this  example  the  members  of 
the  ancient  L'nitas  Fratrum  used  the  lot  in  the 


THE  SECOND  YEAR  IN   GEORGIA.  151 

selection  of  their  first  ministers,  and  the  Renewed 
Church  did  the  same  when  the  first  elders  were 
elected  at  Herrnhut  in  1727.  It  was  no  uncommon 
practice  in  Germany,  where  many  persons  who  de- 
sired special  guidance  resorted  to  it  more  or  less 
freely,  and  Count  Zinzendorf,  among  the  rest,  had 
used  it  from  his  youth  up.  Gradually  it  came  into 
general  use  among  the  Moravians,  and  at  a  later 
period  in  their  history  had  its  definite  place  in  their 
system  of  government,  though  the  outside  public 
never  fully  understood  it,  and  still  holds  erroneous 
views,  despite  the  plain  statements  that  have  been 
made.  By  degrees  its  use  became  more  and  more 
restricted,  and  has  been  long  since  entirely  abol- 
ished. 

In  its  perfection  the  lot  was  simply  this, — human 
intellect  solving  a  problem  so  far  as  earnest  study 
and  careful  deliberation  could  go,  and  then,  if  the 
issue  was  still  in  doubt,  a  direct  appeal  for  Divine 
guidance,  in  perfect  faith  that  the  Lord  would  plain- 
ly answer  his  servants,  who  were  seeking  to  do  his 
will.  This  standard  was  not  always  maintained, 
but  the  leaders  of  the  Moravian  Congregation  in 
Savannah  had  the  early,  absolute,  belief  that  God 
spoke  to  them  through  the  lot,  and  felt  themselves 
bound  to  implicit  obedience  to  its  dictates.  Their 
custom  was  to  write  two  words  or  sentences  on 
separate  slips,  representing  the  two  possible  an- 
swers to  their  question,  and  after  earnest  prayer  to 
draw  one  slip,  and  then  act  accordingly.  Some- 
times a  third  slip,  a  blank,  was  added,  and  if  that 
was  drawn  it  signified  that  no  action  should  be  taken 
until  another  time,  and  after  further  consideration. 


152  THE  A  LOR  AVIANS  IN  GEORGIA. 

Some  time  in  July,  Peter  Rose  and  his  wife,  (the 
widow  Riedel )  went  to  live  among  the  Lower 
Creeks,  giving  all  their  time  to  learning  the  lan- 
guage, and  teaching  what  they  could  about  religion. 

On  August  9th,  Mr.  Ingham  went  to  the  Mora- 
vians with  a  new  plan.  Gen.  Oglethorpe  had  agreed 
to  build  a  schoolhouse  for  Indian  children,  near 
Tomochichi's  village,  with  the  idea  that  it  would 
give  opportunity  also  to  reach  the  older  men  and 
women  with  the  Gospel  message.  The  house  was 
to  contain  three  rooms,  one  for  Ingham,  one  for  the 
Moravian  missionaries,  and  one  to  be  used  for  the 
school,  and  it  was  suggested  that  the  Moravians  un- 
dertake the  erection  of  the  building,  the  Trustees' 
fund  to  pay  them  for  their  labor.  The  proposition 
was  gladly  accepted,  and  preparations  were  at  once 
made  to  send  the  necessary  workmen. 

On  Mondav,  the  I3th,  Toltschig  and  five  others 
went  to  the  spot  which  had  been  selected  for  the 
Indian  Schoolhouse,  usually  called  Irene.  The  site 
of  this  schoolhouse  has  been  considered  uncertain, 
but  a  short  manuscript  account  of  "the  Mission 
among  the  Indians  in  America,"  preserved  in  the 
Herrnhut  Archieves.  savs  distinctly  that  it  stood  "a 
mile  above  the  town  (of  Savannah)  on  an  island  in 
the  Savannah  River  which  was  occupied  by  the 
Creeks." 

A\  hen  the  carpenters  arrived  the  first  act  was  to 
unite  in  prayer  for  a  blessing  on  their  work,  and 
then  they  began  to  fell  trees  and  cut  down  bushes, 
clearing  the  ground  for  the  hut  in  which  they  were 
to  live  while  building  the  schoolhouse.  The  hut 
was  placed  on  the  grave  of  an  Indian  chief.  "The 


THE  SECOND  YEAR  IN  GEORGIA.  153 

Indians  are  accustomed  to  bury  their  chiefs  on  the 
spot  where  they  died,  to  heap  a  mound  some  24  feet 
high  above  them,  to  mourn  them  for  a  while,  and 
then  to  abandon  the  spot,"  and  this  little  elevation 
was  a  favorable  site  for  their  hut.  Until  the  hut 
was  finished  the  men  lodged  with  the  Indians,  To- 
mochichi  himself  taking  charge  of  their  belongings. 
Toltschig  returned  the  same  day  to  Savannah,  going 
back  later  with  a  supply  of  provisions.  The  Indians 
made  them  heartily  welcome  to  their  neighborhood, 
and  the  Moravians,  even  in  the  midst  of  their  build- 
ing operations,  began  to  teach  them  the  English 
alphabet,  at  the  same  time  putting  forth  every  ef- 
fort to  learn  the  Indian  tongue,  in  which  Rose  was 
rapidly  becoming  proficient. 

By  the  2Oth  of  September  the  schoolhouse  was 
finished,  and  Ingham  and  the  Moravians  held  a 
conference  to  plan  the  future  work,  and  decide  what 
duties  each  should  assume,  as  he  proposed  to  move 
thither  at  once,  and,  with  the  approval  of  the  lot, 
Rose  and  his  wife  were  to  do  the  same.  Morning 
and  evening  they  were  to  read  the  English  Bible,  ac- 
companied by  silent  prayer;  morning,  mid-day  and 
evening  an  hour  was  to  be  given  to  the  study  of  the 
Indian  language ;  and  Rose  and  his  wife  were  to 
have  an  hour  for  their  private  devotions.  Mrs. 
Rose  was  to  teach  the  Indian  girls  to  read,  and  the 
boys,  who  had  already  begun  to  read,  were  to  be 
taught  to  write.  In  their  remaining  time  they  were 
to  clear  and  plant  some  land,  that  they  might  not  be 
too  long  dependent  on  the  Congregation  at  Savan- 
nah, and  on  the  friendly  Indians,  who  were  giving 

-  o  o 

them  much. 


154 


THE  MORAVIANS  IN  GEORGIA. 


The  next  day  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Toltschig  escorted 
Rose  and  his  wife  to  their  new  home,  and  at  Ing- 
ham's  request  united  with  them  in  a  little  prayer 
service.  Four  days  later  fourteen  of  the  Moravians 
went  to  the  schoolhouse,  which  was  solemnly  conse- 
crated by  Seifert,  the  Chief  Elder.  That  evening, 
in  Savannah,  Rose  and  his  wife  were  formally  set 
apart  for  their  missionary  work,  and  the  next  day 
they  returned  to  "Irene,"  as  the  school  was  called,  to 
enter  upon  their  duties. 

At  first  everything  was  encouraging.  The  chil- 
dren learned  readily,  not  only  to  read  but  some  to 
write  :  they  committed  to  memory  many  passages  of 
Scripture,  and  took  special  delight  in  the  hymns 
they  were  taught  to  sing. 

The  older  Indians  looked  on  with  wonder  and 
approval,  which  stimulated  the  missionaries  to  new 
zeal  in  mastering  the  language,  and  in  taking  even- 
opportunity  to  make  the  "Great  Word"  known  tc 
them.  Zinzendorf  wrote  a  letter  from  Herrnhut  to 
Tomochichi,  commending  his  interest  in  their  mes- 
sage, and  urging  its  full  acceptance  upon  him  ;  the 
Indians  gave  some  five  acres  of  land  for  a  garden, 
which  Rose  cleared  and  planted,  and  everything 
looked  promising,  until  the  influence  of  the  Spanish 
war  rumor  was  felt.  True  to  their  nature,  the  fight- 
ing spirit  of  the  Indians  rose  within  them,  and  they 
took  the  war-path  against  the  Spanish,  for  the  sake 
of  their  English  allies,  and  perhaps  more  for  the 
pure  love  of  strife.  Then  Tngham  decided  to  go  to 
England  for  reinforcements,  and  Rose  was  left  in 
charge  of  the  work.  lie  seems  to  have  been  a  well- 
meaning  man,  and  much  beloved  bv  the  Indians,  but 


THE  SECOND  YEAR  IN  GEORGIA.  155 

he  was  not  a  man  of  much  mental  strength  or  exec- 
utive ability,  and  the  Congregation  at  Savannah 
soon  decided  that  he  and  his  wife  should  be  recalled 
until  the  way  opened  for  one  or  more  of  the  others 
to  go  back  to  Irene  with  him. 

THE  "SOCIETY/'' 

In  their  personal  affairs  the  Moravians  were  ex- 
periencing the  usual  mingling  of  light  and  shadow. 

Dober's  effort  to  make  pottery  was  a  failure,  for 
lack  of  proper  clay,  but  through  Gen.  Oglethorpe's 
kindness  a  good  deal  of  carpenter's  work  was  given 
to  them.  They  built  a  house  for  Tomochichi  at  his 
village,  and  a  house  in  Savannah,  both  in  the  style 
of  the  Moravian  house,  and  another  town  house  in 
English  fashion,  as  well  as  the  Indian  school,  a  large 
share  of  their  wages  being  applied  on  account,  so 
that  their  debt  was  gradually  reduced,  and  their 
credit  sustained. 

Their  manner  of  living  remained  very  simple. 
Morning  and  evening  prayers  began  and  ended  their 
days  of  toil,  the  company  being  divided,  part  living 
at  the  garden,  and  part  in  town  during  the  week,  all 
gathering  in  the  town-house  for  Sunday's  rest  and 
worship.  When  the  weather  was  very  warm  the 
morning  Bible  reading  was  postponed  until  the 
noon  hour,  that  advantage  might  be  taken  of  the 
cooler  air  for  active  labor.  Once  a  month  a  general 
conference  was  held  on  Saturday  evening,  with 
others  as  needed,  so  that  all  might  do  the  work  for 
which  they  were  best  fitted,  and  which  was  most  ne- 
cessary at  the  time.  ''Who  worked  much  gave 


150  Tin-;  MORAVIAN'S  IN  GEORGIA. 

much,  who  worked  less  gave  less,  who  did  not  work 
because  he  was  sick  or  weak  gave  nothing  into  the 
common  fund ;  but  when  they  needed  food,  or 
drink,  or  clothing,  or  other  necessary  thing,  one  was 
as  another." 

On  the  3rd  of  April.  Matthias  Seybold  asked  to 
be  received  into  the  communicant  Congregation, 
which  was  done  on  the  5th  of  May,  and  he  shared 
in  the  Lord's  Supper  for  the  first  time  June  3rd. 
John  r.ohner  also  was  confirmed  on  January  I2th  of 
the  following  year. 

On  the  nth  of  November  two  little  girls,  Anna 
and  Comfort,  were  added  to  their  household.  The 
mother  had  recently  died,  and  the  father  offered  to 
pay  the  Moravians  for  taking  care  of  them,  but 
they  preferred  to  have  them  bound,  so  they  could 
not  be  taken  away  just  when  they  had  begun  to 
learn,  and  so  it  was  arranged.  On  the  28th.  a 
man  from  Ebcnezer  brought  his  son.  and  appren- 
ticed him  to  Tanneberger,  the  shoemaker. 

The  dark  side  of  the  picture  arose  from  two 
causes,  ill  health,  and  matrimonial  affairs.  There 
was  a  great  deal  of  sickness  throughout  Georgia 
that  summer,  and  the  second  company  became  ac- 
climated through  the  same  distressing  process  that 
the  first  had  found  so  hard  to  bear.  Mrs.  Dober, 
Mrs.  \Vaschke.  Mrs.  Toltschig,  Gottlieb  Demuth, 
John  Holmer  and  others  were  sick  at  various  times, 
and  David  Jag  cut  his  foot  so  severely  that  he  was 
unable  to  use  it  for  four  months.  Nor  was  this  the 
worst,  for  three  more  of  their  number  died.  Roscher 
was  sick  when  he  reached  Savannah,  with  consump- 
tion, it  was  supposed,  but  Regnier  suspected  that 


Tilt:  SECOND  YEAR  IN   GEORGIA.  157 

this  was  'not  all,  and  when  Roschcr  died.  March 
3Oth,  he  secured  permission  to  make  an  autopsy,  in 
which  he  was  assisted  by  John  Wesley.  The  exam- 
ination showed  a  large  hematoma  in  the  left  wall  of 
the  abdomen,  and  other  complications.  The  records 
say,  "we  have  no  cause  to  grieve  over  his  departure, 
for  he  was  a  good  soul,'"  and  died  in  peace. 

The  next  to  pass  away  was  Mrs.  Habcrecht.  Her 
health  began  to  fail  the  latter  part  of  March,  but 
she  did  not  become  seriously  ill  until  the  26th  of 
May,  when  she  returned  from  the  farm,  where  she 
and  others  had  been  employed,  and  told  her  friends 
that  the  Saviour  had  called  her,  and  her  end  wa^ 
near.  With  joy  and  peace  she  waited  for  the  sum- 
mons, which  was  delayed  for  some  time,  though  on 
several  occasions  her  death  seemed  only  a  matter  of 
hours.  On  the  i6th  of  June  she  shared  with  the 
others  in  the  celebration  of  the  Communion,  and  on 
the  following  evening  "went  to  the  Saviour." 

Matthias  Bohnisch's  illness  was  of  short  duration, 
lasting  only  from  the  2/th  of  September  to  the  3rd 
of  October.  He  had  had  a  severe  fall  on  the  ship 
coming  over,  from  which  he  continued  to  suffer,  and 
now  a  hard  blow  on  the  chest  injured  him  mortally. 
Some  of  his  companions  found  it  hard  to  under- 
stand why  he  should  be  taken,  for  he  was  a  good 
man.  who  gave  promise  of  much  usefulness  in  the 
Lord's  service.  It  is  an  old  question,  often  asked 
and  never  fullv  answered,  but  Bohnisch.  conscious 
almost  to  the  last,  was  perfectly  willing  to  go,  and 
his  associates  felt  that  the  influence  of  his  life 
"would  be  a  seed,  which  would  bear  fruit''  in  others. 

1 1 


158  THE  MORAVIANS  IN  GEORGIA. 

Jt  was  a  serious  mistake  that  sent  Juliana  Jaschke 
to  Savannah  with  the  second  company.  A  seam- 
stress was  badly  needed,  and  had  she  been  so  minded 
she  might  have  been  very  useful,  but  in  a  list  giving 
very  briefly  the  standing  of  each  one  in  the  "So- 
ciety," it  is  curtly  stated  that  she  was  "ill-mannered, 
and  obstructing  everything."  Soon  after  her  ar- 
rival it  was  suggested  that  she  marry  Peter  Rose, 
but  the  lot  forbade  and  he  found  a  much  better  help- 
meet in  the  widow  of  Friedrich  Riedel.  Waschke 
thought  he  would  like  to  marry  Juliana,  but  she  re- 
fused, even  though  liishop  Xitschmann,  Air.  and 
Airs.  Toltschig  pled  with  her.  Her  preference  was 
for  George  Haberland,  and  the  result  was  an  un- 
comfortable state  of  affairs,  which  disturbed  the 
leaders  of  the  "Society"'  not  a  little,  for  living  as 
they  did  as  one  large  family  it  meant  constant  fric- 
tion on  all  sides.  They  did  not  know  whether  to 
force  Juliana  to  submit  to  their  authority,  (as  a 
member  of  the  "Society"  she  had  pledged  herself  to 
obedience  to  the  duly  elected  officers),  or  whether 
they  should  wait  and  hope  for  a  better  frame  of 
mind.  At  last  they  referred  it  to  the  lot,  which  read 
"Juliana  shall  not  marry  anv  one  yet.''  This  set- 
tled the  question  for  the  time  being,  but  did  not  im- 
prove the  spirit  of  the  parties  concerned.  A  few  of 
the  others  were  homesick,  and  lost  interest  in  their 
work  and  the  cause  for  which  they  had  come  over. 
Hermsdorf  returned  from  Frcderica,  sick  and  de- 
pressed, and  was  kindly  received  by  the  Moravians 
in  Savannah,  though  their  first  favorable  impression 
of  him  had  been  lost  on  the  voyage  across  the 


THE  SECOND   YEAR  IN  GEORGIA.  159 

Atlantic,  when  he  complained  of  the  fare,  and  lay 
in  bed  most  of  the  time. 

The  leaders  of  the  party,  trying  to  pacify  the  dis- 
contented, comfort  the  sick,  and  strengthen  those 
that  were  left  as  one  and  another  was  called  away; 
planning  the  daily  routine  to  the  best  advantage  so 
that  they  might  repay  their  debt,  and  still  have  the 
necessaries  of  life  for  their  large  company ;  seeking 
to  teach  and  convert  the  Indians,  and  help  the  poor 
about  them ; — these  leaders  were  further  tried  by 
the  non-arrival  of  answers  to  the  letters  sent  to 
Germany.  Feeling  that  they  must  know  the  will  of 
those  at  home  if  they  \vere  to  be  able  successfully  to 
continue  their  work,  they  at  last  decided  to  send  a 
messenger  to  Count  Zinzendorf,  and  the  lot  desig- 
nated Andrew7  Dober. 

A  ship  was  lying  at  anchor,  ready  to  take  Gen. 
Oglcthorpe  to  England,  and  he  readily  agreed  to 
take  Dober  and  wrife  with  him,  and  on  December 
2nd.  they  embarked,  Dober  carrying  a  number  of 
letters  and  papers.  Mrs.  Dober  was  quite  ill  when 
they  left,  but  rapidly  improved  in  the  sea  breezes. 
January  2Oth.  the  ship  reached  London,  and  Mr. 
and  Mrs.  Dober  went  at  once  to  Mr.  Weintraube, 
who  was  to  forward  the  letters  to  Herrnhut.  As 
they  were  talking  Bishop  Nitschmann  walked  in,  to 
their  mutual  great  astonishment.  He  reported  that 
Count  Zinzendorf  had  just  arrived  in  London,  and 
had  sent  to  inquire  for  letters,  so  those  brought 
from  Georgia  were  at  once  delivered.  Zinzendorf 
rented  a  house,  the  Countess  arrived  a  few  days  lat- 
er, and  Dober  and  wife  remained  in  his  service  dur- 
ing the  seven  weeks  of  his  stav. 


160  Tin;  MORAVIANS  IN  GEORGIA. 

The  Count's  object  in  visiting'  London  at  this 
time  was  fourfold :  to  confer  with  the  Georgia 
Trustees  about  the  Moravians  in  Savannah ;  to  ex- 
tend acquaintances  among  the  Germans  in  London 
and  do  religious  work  among  them  ;  to  discuss  the 
Episcopate  of  the  L'nitas  Fratrum  with  Archbishop 
Potter  of  Canterbury;  and  if  possible  to  revive  the 
"Order  of  the  Mustard  Seed."  This  order  had  been 
established  by  Zinzendorf  and  several  companions 
in  their  early  boyhood,  and  grc\v  with  their  growth, 
numbering  many  famous  men  in  its  ranks,  and  it 
is  worth v  of  note  that  even  in  its  boyish  form  it  con- 
tained the  germs  of  that  zeal  for  missions  which  was 
such  a  dominant  feature  of  the  Count's  manhood. 

Archbishop  Potter  not  only  fully  acknowledged 
the  validity  of  the  Unity's  Episcopate,  but  urged 
Zinzendorf  himself  to  accept  consecration  at  the 
hands  of  Jnblonski  and  David  Xitschmann,  and  en- 
couraged by  him  Zinzendorf  was  consecrated  bishop 
at  Uerlin,  May  20th.  1737. 

The  Count  held  frequent  services  during  his  stay 
in  London,  and  before  he  left  a  societv  of  ten  mem- 
bers had  been  formed  among  the  Germans,  with  a 
lew  simple  regulations,  their  object  being  "in  sim- 
plicity to  look  to  these  three  things: — to  be  saved  1>\ 
the  blood  of  Christ  :  to  become  hulv,  or  be  sanctified 
by  the  blood  of  Christ ;  to  love  one  another  heart- 
ily." 

With  the  Trustees  it  was  agreed:  ''That  the 
Count's  men"  might  remain  for  two  years  longer  at 
Savannah,  without  cultivating  the  five  hundred  acre 
tract,  "and  be  exempt  from  all  forfeitures  arising 
trom  such  non-cultivation;"  but  if  thev  chose  thev 


NICHOLAS   LKWIS.  COCNT  XINXKNJ);  \\l  F. 
Portrait    I'u-t    1>\-   Rcichcl.  licrlin. 


Tin:  SECOND  YEAR  IN  GEORGIA.  161 

might  move  to  the  tract  any  time  during  the  two 
years.  They  might  go  to  Tomochichi's  Indians 
\vhenever  they  saw  fit  and  he  consented.  Other 
Indians  could  not  he  visited  in  time  of  war,  hut  in 
peace  four  Moravians  should  be  licensod  to  go  to 
them,  on  the  same  footing  as  the  English  ministers. 
Those  living  with  Tomochichi  were  not  included  in 
this  number.  "As  the  Moravian  Church  is  believed 
to  be  orthodox  and  apostolic"  no  one  should  inter- 
fere with  their  preaching  the  Gospel,  or  prevent  the 
Indians  from  attending  their  services  in  Savannah, 
or  elsewhere.  The  title  to  their  five  hundred  acre 
tract  was  secured  to  the  Moravians,  even  in  case 
the  Count's  male  line  should  become  extinct. 

Reference  to  military  service  is  conspicuous  by 
its  absence,  and  at  the  very  time  that  these  resolu- 
tions were  being  framed,  assurance  on  that  one 
point  was  being  desperately  needed  in  Savannah. 

RUMORS  OF  WAR. 

In  February,  1/37,  that  which  Spangcnberg  had 
feared  came  upon  the  Moravians, — military  service 
was  peremptorily  demanded  of  them,  the  occasion 
being  a  fresh  alarm  of  Spanish  incursions. 

The  feud  between  the  colonists  of  Spain  and  Eng- 
land was  of  long  standing,  dating  back  to  rival 
claims  to  the  New  World  by  right  of  discovery.  The 
English  asserted  that  through  the  Cabots  they  had 
a  right  to  the  greater  part  of  North  America,  and  a 
grant  to  the  Lords  Proprietors  of  Carolina,  in  1663, 
named  the  31  degree  of  latitude  as  the  southern 
boundary.  Another  patent  two  years  later  set  the 
line  at  the  29  degree,  but  that  availed  nothing  as  it 


1 62  Tnii  MORAVIANS  IN  GEORGIA. 

included  the  northern  part  of  Florida,  where  the 
Spanish  were  already  settled  in  considerable  num- 
bers. 

No  other  nation  questioned  the  English  claim  to 
the  sea-board  as  far  as  the  31  degree,  which  was 
well  south  of  the  Altamaha,  but  the  Spanish  greatly 
resented  the  settlements  in  Carolina,  as  encroach- 
ing on  their  territory,  though  successive  treaties  be- 
tween the  two  Governments  had  virtually  acknowl- 
edged the  English  rights.  With  the  two  nations 
nominally  at  peace,  the  Spanish  incited  the  Indians 
to  deeds  of  violence,  encouraged  insurrection  among 
the  negro  slaves,  welcomed  those  who  ran  away,  and 
enlisted  them  in  their  army.  Xow  and  then  the 
Governor  of  Carolina  would  send  a  force,  which 
would  subdue  them  for  a  time,  but  the  constant  un- 
certainty made  Carolina  welcome  the  Georgia 
colony  as  a  protection  to  her  borders. 

The  settlement  of  Georgia  gave  further  offense  to 
Spain,  and  her  subjects  in  Florida  burned  to  exter- 
minate the  intruders,  as  they  considered  them, 
though  nothing  was  done  so  long  as  operations  were 
confined  to  the  Savannah  River.  lUit  when  towns 
and  forts  were  planned  and  begun  on  the  Altamaha 
their  opposition  became  more  outspoken.  Ogle- 
thorpe  did  all  he  could  to  preserve  peace  without 
retreating  from  his  position,  and  in  Oct.  1/36,  he 
concluded  a  treaty  with  the  Governor  of  St.  Augus- 
tine. 

Only  too  soon  it  became  apparent  that  this  treaty 
would  not  be  respected,  for  the  Captain-General  of 
Cuba  disapproved,  and  Oglethorpc  sailed  for  Eng- 
land, in  November,  to  urge  the  immediate  and  suf- 


THE  SECOND  YEAR  ix  GEORGIA.  163 

ficicnt  fortification  of  the  frontier.  The  Trustees 
and  the  Government  approved  of  the  course  he  had 
pursued,  but  Spain  recalled  and  executed  the  Gov- 
ernor of  St.  Augustine,  for  presuming  to  make 
such  a  treaty,  and  so  plainly  showed  her  intention 
to  make  war  on  Georgia  that  the  English  Govern- 
ment authorized  Oglethorpe  to  raise  a  regiment 
for  service  there,  and  in  July,  1738,  he  sailed  for 
America,  commissioned  to  take  command  of  all  the 
military  forces  of  Carolina  and  Georgia,  and  pro- 
tect the  colonies. 

During  the  nineteen  months  of  his  absence,  the 
Georgia  colonists  were  in  a  continual  state  of  un- 
easiness, which  now  and  then  became  sheer  panic 
at  some  especially  plausible  report  of  imminent 
danger. 

On  February  I7th,  1737,  Mr.  Causton  received  a 
letter  from  Charlestown,  in  which  the  Governor  in- 
formed him  that  he  had  news  of  the  approach  of 
the  Spaniards,  and  Savannah  at  once  became  excit- 
ed, and  prepared  for  defence.  On  the  2Oth,  officers 
went  through  the  town,  taking  the  names  of  all 
who  could  bear  arms,  freeholders  and  servants 
alike.  Three  of  them  came  to  the  Moravian  house 
and  requested  names  from  Toltschig.  He  an- 
swered "  there  was  no  one  among  them  who  could 
bear  arms,  and  he  would  get  no  names  from  them.'' 
They  said,  "it  was  remarkable  that  in  a  house  full 
of  strong  men  none  could  bear  arms, — he  should 
hurry  and  give  them  the  names,  they  could  not 
wait."  Toltschig  answered,  "if  they  wanted  to  go 
no  one  would  stop  them,  there  would  be  no  names 
given."  They  threatened  to  tell  Mr.  Causton, 


u.>4  THE  MORAVIANS  IN  GEORGIA. 

Toltschig  approved,  and  said  lie  \vould  do  the  same, 
and  they  angrily  left  the  house. 

Ingham  accompanied  Tohschig  to  Mr.  Causton, 
who  at  once  began  to  argue  the  matter,  and  a  spir- 
ited debate  ensued,  of  which  the  following  is  a  re- 
sume. Canst  on.  "Everybody  must  go  to  the  war 
and  light  for  his  own  safety,  and  if  you  will  not  join 
the  army  the  townspeople  will  burn  down  your 
house,  and  will  kill  you  all." 

TiUtsclii^.  "That  may  happen,  but  we  can  not 
help  it,  it  is  against  our  conscience  to  light." 

Causton.  "if  you  do  not  mean  to  tight  you  had 
better  go  and  hide  in  the  woods,  out  of  sight  of  the 
people,  or  it  will  be  the  worse  for  you  ;  and  you  had 
better  go  before  the  enemy  comes,  for  then  it  will 
be  too  late  to  escape,  the  townspeople  will  certainly 
kill  vou." 

Toltschig.  "You  forget  that  Gen.  Oglcthorpe 
promised  us  exemption  from  military  service,  and 
we  claim  the  liberty  he  pledged." 

Canston.  "If  the  Count,  and  the  Trustees  and 
the  King  himself  had  agreed  on  that  in  London  it 
would  count  for  nothing  here,  if  war  comes  it  will 
be  ti^'lit  or  die.  If  1  were  an  officer  on  a  march  and 
met  people  who  would  not  join  me,  [  would  shoot 
them  with  my  own  hand,  and  you  can  expect  no 
other  treatment  from  the  officers  here." 

Toltscliig.  "\Ye  are  all  servants,  and  can  not 
legally  be  impressed." 

Causton.  "If  the  Count  himself  were  here  he 
would  have  to  take  his  gun  on  his  shoulder,  and 
all  his  servants  with  him.  If  he  were  living  on  his 
estate  at  Old  Fort  it  would  make  no  difference,  for 


THE  SECOND  YEAR  IN  GEORGIA.  165 

the  order  of  the  Magistrates  must  be  obeyed.  If  the 
English,  to  whom  the  country  belongs  must  fight, 
shall  others  go  free?" 

Toltschig  finally  yielded  so  far  as  to  tell  him  the 
number  of  men  in  their  company,  "it  could  do  no 
harm  for  we  could  be  counted  any  day,"  but  their 
names  were  resolute'.}'  withheld,  and  service  firmly 
refused. 

Then  the  townspeople  took  up  the  cry.  Should 
they  fight  for  these  strangers  who  would  not  do 
their  share  toward  defending  the  land ':  They 
would  mob  and  kill  them  first!  They  only  injured 
the  colony  at  any  rate,  for  they  worked  so  cheaply 
that  they  lowered  the  scale  of  wages  ;  and  besides 
they  received  money  from  many  people,  for  their 
services,  but  spent  none  because  they  made  every- 
thing they  needed  for  themselves ! 

Still  the  Moravians  stood  firm  in  their  position,  in- 
deed they  could  do  nothing  else  without  stultifying 
themselves.  The  instructions  from  Zinzendorf  and 
the  leaders  of  the  Church  at  Herrnhut,  with  the  ap- 
proval of  the  lot,  were  definite, — they  should  take  no 
part  in  military  affairs,  but  might  pay  any  fines  in- 
curred by  refusal.  To  Oglethorpe  and  to  the 
Trustees  they  had  explained  their  scruples,  making 
freedom  of  conscience  an  essential  consideration  of 
their  settling  in  Georgia,  and  from  them  thev  had  re- 
ceived assurances  that  only  freeholders  were  liable 
to  military  duty.  Therefore  they  had  claimed  no 
land  as  individuals,  but  had  been  content  to  live,  and 
labor,  and  be  called  "servants,"  paying  each  week 
for  men  to  serve  in  the  night  watch,  in  place  of  the 
absent  owners  of  the  two  town  lots.  In  Savannah 


iCi()  Tin-:  MORAVIAXS  ix  GEORGIA. 

their  views  were  well  known,  and  to  yield  to  orders 
from  a  Magistrate,  who  oponly  declared  that  prom- 
ises made  by  the  Trustees,  who  had  put  him  in  of- 
fice, were  not  worth  regarding,  and  who  threatened 
them  with  mob  violence,  would  have  been  to  brand 
themselves  as  cowards,  unworthy  members  of  a 
Church  which  had  outlived  such  dire  persecution  as 
that  which  overthrew  the  ancient  Unitas  Fratrum, 
and  recreant  to  their  own  early  faith,  which  had  led 
them  to  abandon  homes  and  kindred  in  Moravia, 
and  seek  liberty  of  conscience  in  another  kingdom. 
That  Georgia  needed  armed  men  to  protect  her 
from  the  Spaniards  was  true,  but  equally  so  she 
needed  quiet  courage,  steady  industry,  strict  hon- 
esty, and  pious  lives  to  develop  her  resources,  keep 
peace  with  her  Indian  neighbors,  and  win  the  re- 
spect of  the  world,  but  these  traits  were  hardly  rec- 
ognized as  coin  current  by  the  frightened,  jealous 
men  who  clamored  against  the  Moravians. 

On  the  28th,  it  was  demanded  that  the  Moravians 
help  haul  wood  to  the  fort  which  was  being  built. 
They  replied  that  their  wagon  and  oxen  were  at  the 
officers'  service  without  hire,  and  that  they  would 
feed  the  animals,  but  personally  they  could  take  no 
share  in  the  work.  This  angered  the  people  again, 
and  several  of  the  members  began  to  wonder  wheth- 
er they  might  perhaps  complv  so  far  as  to  assist,  as  a 
matter  of  friendship,  in  hewing  logs  for  the  fort,  re- 
fusing the  wages  paid  to  others.  The  lot  was  tried, 
and  absolutely  forbade  it,  which  was  well,  for  it- 
developed  that  the  people  were  watching  for  their 
answer,  having  agreed  that  if  they  helped  on  the 
fort  it  would  be  a  proof  that  they  could  do  what 


THE  SECOND  YEAR  IN  GEORGIA.  167 

they  chose,  and  were  simply  hiding  behind  an  ex- 
cuse in  refusing  to  fight. 

But  the  tension  was  not  relaxed,  and  on  the  2nd 
of  March,  the  Moravians  met  to  decide  on  their 
further  course.  Should  they  keep  quiet,  and  wait 
for  times  to  change,  or  should  they  go  away  ?  It 
was  referred  to  the  lot,  and  the  paper  drawn  read 
"go  out  from  among  them."  This  meant  not  mere- 
ly from  the  city,  but  from  the  province,  for  Mr. 
Causton  had  told  them  that  they  would  be  subject  to 
the  same  requirements  if  they  were  living  in  the 
adjoining  country. 

On  the  strength  of  this  they  wrote  a  letter  to 
Mr.  Causton,  rehearsing  their  motives  in  coming  to 
Georgia,  and  the  promises  made  them,  reiterating 
their  claim  for  liberty  of  conscience,  and  concluding, 
"But  if  this  can  not  be  allowed  us,  if  our  remaining 
here  be  burdensome  to  the  people,  as  we  already 
perceive  it  begins  to  be,  we  are  willing,  with  the 
approbation  of  the  Magistrate,  to  remove  from  this 
place ;  by  this  means  any  tumult  that  might  ensue  on 
our  account  will  be  avoided,  and  occasion  of  offense 
cut  off  from  those  who  now  reproach  us  that  they 
are  obliged  to  fight  for  us." 

AYhen  it  came  to  this  point  Mr.  Causton  found 
himself  by  no  means  anxious  to  drive  away  some 
thirty  of  his  best  settlers,  who  stood  well  with  Ogle- 
thorpe  and  the  Trustees,  and  had  given  him  all  their 
trade  for  supplies,  so  he  began  to  temporize.  "They 
trusted  in  God,  and  he  really  did  not  think  their 
house  would  be  burned  over  their  heads.''  Tolt- 
schig  said  that  was  the  least  part  of  it,  they  had 
come  for  freedom,  and  now  attempts  were  made 


I  OS  THE  MORAMAXS  IN"  GKORGIA. 

to  force  them  to  act  contrary  to  the  dictates  of  their 
consciences.  Then  he  declared  that  he  had  no 
power  in  the  matter  of  their  leaving,  that  must  he 
settled  between  the  Count,  the  Trustees,  and  them- 
selves, hut  he  could  not  permit  them  to  go  until  he 
received  an  order  from  the  Trustees.  Meanwhile 
he  would  do  what  he  could  to  quiet  the  people's 
dissatisfaction  with  them. 

As  their  dcht  to  the  Trustees  was  not  yet  fully 
paid,  Causton's  refusal  hound  them  in  Savannah  for 
the  time  being,  according  to  their  bond,  so  they  had 
to  turn  elsewhere  for  help.  Harlv  in  February, 
they  had  heard  of  Spangeiiberg's  return  to  Pennsyl- 
vania from  his  visit  to  St.  Thomas,  and  had  written 
to  ask  him  to  come  and  help  them  for  a  while,  but 
being  busy  with  other  things  he  did  not  go.  On 
the  5th  of  March,  Ingham  suggested  that  he  and  one 
of  their  number  should  go  to  England  to  the  Trust- 
ees. They  thought  it  over  and  decided  that  George 
Xeisscr  should  go  with  him  as  far  as  Pennsylvania, 
where  the  case  should  be  laid  before  Spangenherg. 
with  the  request  that  he  go  to  London,  arrange  mat- 
ters with  the  Trustees,  and  get  permission  for  them 
to  leave  Georgia.  Tngham  was  going,  with  the  ap- 
proval of  Wesley  and  Delamotte,  to  try  and  bring 
over  some  of  their  friends  to  help  in  the  work-  of 
evangelizing  the  Province. 

A  ship  was  rcadv  to  sail  for  Pennsylvania  on  the 
Oth,  so  Ingham  and  Xeisser  took-  passage  on  her, 
ami  sailed,  as  the  event  proved,  never  lo  return. 


ClIAI'TF.K    VI. 

DISINTEGRATION. 


After  Spangenberg  had  decided  not  to  comply 
v\ith  the  request  contained  in  the  letter  from  Sa- 
vannah, but  to  stay  and  prosecute  the  work  among 
the  Schwenkfelclers,  where  a  door  seemed  to  be 
opening,  he  became  conscious  of  a  feeling'  of  uneasi- 
ness, an  impression  that  he  was  needed  in  Georgia. 
This  was  increased  by  news  of  the  expected  Spanish 
outbreak,  for  so  general  was  the  alarm  that  all  the 
war-ships  in  the  northern  harbors  were  ordered  to 
Carolina,  and  the  selling  of  supplies  to  the  Span- 
iards was  absolutely  prohibited. 

At  this  point  George  Xeisser  and  Benjamin  Ing- 
ham  came,  bringing  word  of  the  pressure  on  the 
Moravians,  their  decision  to  leave  Georgia  as  soon 
as  it  could  be  arranged,  and  their  request  that  Span- 
gcnbcrg  should  go  to  England  with  Ingham  to  see 
the  Trustees,  and  secure  their  consent.  Of  this  plan 
Spangenbcrg  did  not  approve,  for  he  thought  the 
war  would  ruin  everything,  or  else  the  danger  would 
be  over,  before  he  could  make  the  long  journey  to 
England,  and  return.  Ingham  professed  himself 
ready  to  carry  letters  to  the  Trustees,  and  do  his 
best  to  influence  them  to  grant  the  Moravian  re- 
quests, so  Spangenbcrg  decided  to  entrust  that  er- 


170  TJIIJ  MORAVIANS  IN  GEORGIA. 

nmd  to  him,  and  himself  go  at  once  to  Georgia,  to 
see  whether  lie  could  not  help  matters  there. 

John  Eckstein,  a  resident  of  Germantown,  a  mid- 
J.le-agcd  man  who  was  in  entire  sympathy  with 
Spangenberg's  plans  for  religous  work  in  Pennsyl- 
vania, resolved  to  accompany  him  on  his  trip  to 
Georgia.  They  sailed  from  Philadelphia  on  the 
22nd  of  May,  1/37,  and  had  a  long  and  very  trying 
voyage.  The  Captain  and  crew  were  evil  men,  giv- 
en to  cursing  and  swearing,  and  more  than  once  they 
threatened  to  murder  the  two  passengers,  whom 
they  called  sorcerers,  and  accused  of  bringing  the 
continuous  head  winds  and  frequent  storms  upon 
them.  Seventy-seven  long  days  the  voyage  lasted; 
twice  they  sailed  southward  past  Cape  Hatteras,  and 
twice  were  they  driven  back  to  north  and  east,  tak- 
ing weeks  to  recover  the  distance  lost;  and  the  Cap- 
tain finally  discovered  that  not  only  were  the  ele- 
ments against  him,  but  his  helmsman  was  slyly 
hindering  their  progress  all  he  could,  for  some  ma- 
licious purpose  of  his  own. 

To  the  mental  strain  of  the  long  journey  was 
added  physical  discomfort,  for  firewood  gave  out, 
so  that  no  cooking  could  be  done,  and  for  a  month 
the  crew  lived  on  hard  tack,  dried  cherries  soaked  in 
water,  and  raw  fish, — dolphins  caught  as  need  re- 
quired. Spangcnberg  and  his  companion  had 
brought  provisions  to  supplement  the  ship's  fare,  but 
long  before  the  voyage  was  ended  their  store  of  but- 
ter and  sugar  was  exhausted.  Dried  ham  and 
tongue  bad  a  tendency  to  increase  their  thirst,  but 
by  soaldng  tea  in  cold  water  they  made  a  beverage 
which  bore  at  least  a  fancied  resemblance  to  that 


DlSIX  Tl-ORATlOX .  1 71 

brewed  on  shore.  Then  the  supply  of  water  ran 
low,  each  man's  allowance  was  reduced  to  a  pint  a 
day,  and  even  this  small  amount  would  have  failed 
had  they  not  been  able  occasionally  to  catch  rain- 
water to  replenish  their  casks.  The  Captain  at  last 
opened  a  keg  of  beer  found  in  his  cargo,  and  sold 
his  passengers  enough  to  relieve  their  thirst,  for 
which  they  were  very  grateful. 

But  unkind  words,  delay,  uncooked  food,  thirst, 
were  not  all  that  Spangenberg  and  his  companion 
had  to  bear,  for  actual  danger  was  added  to  their 
experience  from  time  to  time.  High  waves  broke 
over  the  ship,  winds  tore  away  the  sails,  and  a 
water-spout  threatened  total  destruction.  So  late 
was  the  ship  in  reaching  port  that  she  was  given  up 
for  lost,  and  word  was  sent  to  Pennsylvania  which 
caused  much  grief, — needless  grief,  for  Spangen- 
berg's  days  of  service  were  not  to  be  ended  thus.  It 
sounds  almost  trivial  to  say  that  in  the  midst  of 
trials  of  body,  mind  and  soul  Spangenberg  occu- 
pied himself  with  making  buttons,  but  no  doubt  the 
homely,  useful  labor  did  its  part  toward  rendering 
endurable  the  seemingly  endless  days. 

At  last,  on  the  7th  of  August,  the  ship  ran  on  a 
sandbank  near  Tybee,  and  the  Moravians,  hearing 
that  Spangenberg  was  on  board,  took  a  boat  and 
brought  him  to  Savannah.  They  had  asked  him  to 
go  to  England,  he  had  disregarded  their  request  and 
come  to  Georgia,  but  he  was  clear  to  them  through 
many  months  of  united  service  and  mutual  help, 
and  they  gave  him  a  hearty  welcome,  ignoring  all 
cause  for  complaint,  and  taking  him  at  once  into 
their  full  confidence.  He  and  Toltschig  sat  up  all 


172 


of  the  first  night  carefully  discussing  the  condition 
of  affairs  and  what  could  he  done  to  remedy  them. 
Their  views  were  very  different,  for  Spangenberg 
thought  they  had  been  too  hasty  in  deciding  to 
leave  Georgia,  while  Toltschig  felt  that  it  was  a  re- 
flection on  the  lot  to  try  and  hold  them  in  Savan- 
nah, when  the  lot  had  said  "go."  Hut  Toltschig 
possessed  the  rare  art  of  seeing  a  disputed  question 
through  the  eyes  of  those  who  did  not  agree  with 
him.  as  well  as  from  his  own  standpoint,  and  now, 
with  no  petty  self-assertion,  he  quietly  awaited  de- 
velopments, and  told  Spangenberg  all  that  had  hap- 
pened since  Xeisser's  departure. 

As  the  alarm  concerning  an  immediate  invasion 
by  the  Spanish  had  died  away,  the  inhabitants  of 
Savannah  had  regained  their  composure,  and  the 
wild  outcry  against  the  Moravians  gradually  ceased. 
The  wagon  and  oxen  which  had  been  taken  for  work 
on  the  fort  had  been  returned  to  their  owners,  after 
seven  or  eight  weeks  of  hard  usage,  and  the  hope 
that  starvation  would  shake  the  resolution  of  the 
non-combatants  had  signally  failed  of  fulfillment. 
The  ship  which  was  to  bring  the  town  supplies  had 
hem  twelve  weeks  late  in  coming,  and  ihe  stock  in 
the  store-house  was  almost  exhausted.  The  au- 
thorities therefore  had  announced  that  provisions 
would  be  '-old  onlv  to  those  who  were  helping  build 
the  Inrt.  This  entirelv  excluded  the  Moravians,  but 
instead  of  sutlYring  from  hunger  thev  had  been  able 
to  share  with  some  of  their  neighbors.  The  prices 
charged  at  the  store  in  Savannah  were  always  high, 
so,  as  he  was  passing  through  Xew  York  on  his  re- 
turn from  Si.  Thomas,  Spangenberg  had  asked  a 


DISINTEGRATION  .  1 73 

friend  to  send  the  Moravians  two  thousand  pounds 
of  flour  and  salt-meat,  for  which  they  were  to  pay. 
The  merchant  at  that  time  knew  of  no  ship  sailing 
for  Savannah,  so  in  Philadelphia,  Spangenberg  had 
arranged  that  two  thousand  pounds  of  meat  should 
be  sent  from  there  at  once  on  a  year's  credit.  Mean- 
while the  Xew  York  merchant  found  an  opportunity 
to  send  what  was  ordered  from  him,  so  the  Mora- 
vians had  been  surprised  by  a  double  quantity, 
which  proved  to  be  just  what  they  needed  during  the 
general  scarcity.  When  the  friends  in  Pennsylvania 
heard  that  provisions  had  been  sent,  but  not  enough 
to  last  until  the  next  harvest,  the}'  gave  thirty-six 
hundred  pounds  of  flour  to  Spangenberg  to  be 
taken,  as  a  present,  to  the  Georgia  Moravians,  and 
when  word  was  received  that  Spangenberg's  ship 
was  lost,  the}'  sent  an  additional  eighteen  hundred 
pounds,  so  the  "Society"  was  well  supplied  .with  this 
necessary  article  of  food  for  some  time  to  come. 

In  their  household  affairs  the  Moravians  had  had 
various  experiences.  Hermsdorf  had  been  so  thor- 
oughly frightened  by  the  demonstrations  against 
the  Moravians  that  on  the  i6th  of  May  he  had  sailed 
for  German}-,  regardless  of  Toltschig's  efforts  to 
persuade  him  to  wait,  as  his  wife  might  even  then 
be  on  her  way  to  join  him.  Xot  only  did  he  fear  the 
townspeople  so  greatly  that  day  and  night  he  stayed 
in  his  room  "as  in  a  prison,"  but  he  was  still  more 
afraid  to  face  Gen.  Oglethorpe,  who,  it  was  said, 
would  soon  return.  Only  once  had  lie  joined  in  the 
devotional  exercises  of  the  household  after  his  re- 
turn from  Frederica,  and  it  was  rather  a  relief  when 

12 


Tnii  MORAVIANS  IN"  GEORGIA. 

he  left  for  home,  having-  first  repaid  the  amount  of 
his  passage  to  Georgia.  He  seems  to  have  retained 
his  connection  with  the  Moravian  Church,  for  he 
was  in  Herrnhut  when  Wesley  visited  there,  and 
showed  him  many  courtesies  ;  and  he  is  mentioned 
in  1/42,  as  bearing  letters  to  the  "Sea  Congrega- 
tion," then  about  to  sail  for  Pennsylvania. 

On  the  6th  of  June  a  four-year-old  English  boy 
had  been  taken  into  their  household.  He  was  an 
orphan,  and  they  meant  to  bring  him  up,  but  the 
little  fellow  died  on  the  23rd  of  July. 

On  the  loth  of  June  the  matrimonial  troubles  of 
George  Waschke  and  Juliana  Jaschke  had  been  hap- 
pily terminated  by  their  marriage.  "Waschke  had 
been  one  of  the  discontents  ever  since  the  arrival  of 
the  second  company,  but  when  his  marriage  was 
finally  arranged  he  professed  himself  contrite,  and 
promised  all  obedience  to  the  rules  of  the  "Society/' 
so  long  as  he  stayed  in  Savannah,  though  he  retain- 
ed his  desire  to  leave  as  soon  as  possible.  Juliana 
also  had  greatly  improved  in  her  behaviour  before 
the  wedding. 

This  marriage  was  the  cause  of  a  very  interesting 
discussion  among  the  Moravians,  as  to  who  should 
perform  the  ceremony.  "In  the  afternoon  the 
Brethren  met  to  decide  who  should  be  appointed  to 
marry  Waschkc  and  Juliana.  Properly  P>r.  Peter 
(Rose)  should  have  been  ordained  by  P>r.  Anton 
(  Scifert  )  to  the  office  of  a  "Diener"  in  the  Congre- 
gation, that  be  might  marrv  and  baptize,  but  the 
Brethren  did  not  think'  it  necessary  to  ordain  him  on 
Waschke's  account,  and  voted  that  Toltschig  should 
marrv  them,  lie  objected,  but  thev  said  Toltschigf 


DISINTEGRATION.  175 

had  been  made  a  'Diener'  of  the  Congregation  at 
Herrnhut.  He  protested  that  he  had  not  been  sent 
to  Georgia  to  marry  and  baptize,  and  did  not  wish  to 
do  it.  The  others  insisted,  and  asked  that  the  lot 
be  tried;  Toltschig  agreed  to  submit  to  their  wish, 
and  the  lot  drawn  read  'he  shall  marry  these  two,'  " 
which  he  did  the  next  day. 

Parallel  with  this  is  the  baptism  of  Rose's  twin 
daughters,  Anna  Catherina  and  Maria  Magdalena, 
who  were  born  on  the  i6th  of  September,  1737,— 
Anna  Catherina  dying  later  in  the  same  year.  Of 
this  Toltschig  wrote :  ''I,  at  the  request  of  the 
Brethren,  baptized  them  in  the  name  of  the  Father, 
the  Son,  and  of  the  Holy  Ghost,  after  Br.  Anton 
(Seifert)  had  ordained  me  a  "Diener"  in  the  Con- 
gregation." 

It  frequently  happens  that  a  puzzling  action  be- 
comes clear  when  it  is  considered  from  the  stand- 
point of  the  man  who  has  done  it,  but  when  the  mo- 
tive can  not  be  fathomed  many  things  are  hard  to 
understand.  That  Seifert  had  been  empowered  to 
delegate  to  another  member  a  duty  usually  reserved 
for  the  clergy,  was  reasonable,  though  unusual,  for 
his  serious  illness  or  death  would  have  left  the  Con- 
gregation without  ministration  until  word  could  be 
sent  to  Germany,  and  some  one  else  could  come  to 
take  his  place, — a  matter  of  months, — but,  when 
the  "Aeltester"  was  present,  in  full  health,  in  entire 
accord  with  his  Congregation,  and  when  he  in  per- 
son confirmed  candidates  for  Church  membership, 
why  did  he  not  marry  and  baptize  directly,  instead 
of  ordaining  a  "'Diener"  especially  for  those  two  of- 
fices ?  There  must  have  been  some  regulation  in  the 


i~6  TII ic  MORAVIANS  IN  GEORGIA. 

Congregation  at  Herrnhut  which  led  to  it,  for  the 
idea  that  Seifert  himself  should  marry  Waschke  and 
Juliana,  and  baptize  the  Rose  children,  evidently  did 
not  occur  to  them,  but  the  rule  can  not  now  be 
found,  and  there  is  no  clue  to  the  strange  proceed- 
ing. 

Soon  after  the  Waschke  affair  had  been  settled  to 
the  satisfaction  of  all  parties,  serious  trouble  had 
arisen  with  Jag  and  Haberecht.  It  was  reported  to 
the  Moravians  that  Jag  had  engaged  himself  to  a 
Swiss  woman  living  in  Savannah,  and  when  ques- 
tioned he  admitted  that  it  was  true.  They  argued 
with  him,  and  pled  with  him,  but  to  no  avail,  and 
finally  told  him  plainly  that  they  would  not  allow 
him  to  bring  the  woman  to  their  house,  and  more 
than  that,  if  he  persisted  in  his  determination  he 
would  have  to  leave  them ;  and  angry  ami  defiant  he 
did  take  his  departure  the  next  day,  July  the  loth. 

That  ''troubles  never  come  singly"  was  exempli- 
fied, for  the  very  day  that  Jag  left,  Haberecht  went 
to  Toltschig,  and  asked  if  some  wav  could  not  be 
found  so  that  he  could  marry  that  same  Swiss 
woman!  Toltschig  was  almost  stunned  by  this  sec- 
ond blow,  and  gave  a  stern  answer,  whereupon 
Haberecht  applied  to  Seifert,  the  Aeltester,  who 
was  equally  as  unyielding  in  his  condemnation  of  the 
acquaintance  already  made,  and  his  refusal  to  coun- 
tenance further  steps.  Poor  Haberecht,  less  reso- 
lute than  Jag  in  his  rebellion,  drank  deeply  of  the 
waters  of  Marah  during  the  next  weeks;  promising 
to  give  up  the  woman,  who  was  really  unworthy  of 
bis  regard,  and  then  trying  to  draw  Toltschig  into 
a  discussion  of  his  possible  marriage;  despairingly 


DISINTEGRATION.  177 

making-  his  way  to  the  garden  to  hide  himself  among 
the  swine,  feeling  he  was  fit  for  no  better  company, 
and  then  going  to  the  woman  and  asking  her  to 
marry  him.  to  which  she  consented,  having  already 
thrown  Jag  over;  again  bitter  repentance,  confes- 
sion, and  a  plea  that  his  associates  would  forgive 
him.  Either  he  wras  really  in  earnest  this  time,  or 
Spangenberg's  arrival  had  a  salutary  effect,  for 
after  that  the  Swiss  woman  disappears  from  the 
story,  and  two  months  later  Jag  returned,  promised 
good  behaviour,  and  humbly  asked  for  readmit- 
tance  to  the  household  which  was  at  once  accorded 
him. 

The  first  days  of  his  visit  to  Savannah,  Spangen- 
berg  spent  in  acquainting  himself  with  the  condition 
of  affairs, and  in  interviews  with  the  members  singly 
and  collectively,  trying  to  persuade  them  to  con- 
tent themselves  in  Georgia.  The  "bands"  were  re- 
organized, but  he  was  unable  to  re-establish  a  feel- 
ing of  unity  among  them,  and  even  those  who  wrere 
willing  to  stay,  and  work,  and  try  whether  their 
plan  might  not  still  be  carried  out,  felt  that  it  would 
be  unwise  to  hold  the  rest,  for  as  Toltschig  wrote, 
almost  with  a  groan,  "it  is  a  blessed  thing  to  live 
with  a  little  company  of  brethren,  who  arc  of  one 
heart  and  one  soul,  where  heart  and  mind  are  dedi- 
cated to  Jesus,  but  so  to  live,  when  many  have  \veak 
wills  and  principles,  and  there  must  be  a  community 
of  goods,  is  rather  difficult,  especially  when  many 
seek  their  own  ends,  not  the  things  of  Christ." 

Spangenberg  was  forced  to  see  that  his  arguments 
were  futile,  and  wisely  yielded  to  the  inevitable.  At 
a  general  conference  each  man  was  called  upon  to 


ijg  Tn ic  MORAVIANS  IN  GICORGIA. 

state  his  wishes.  Several  desired  to  leave  at  the 
earliest  possible  moment,  others  as  soon  as  the  debt 
was  fully  paid;  two  or  three  wanted  to  return  to 
Europe,  others  preferred  to  go  to  Pennsylvania  to 
Spangenberg;  some  longed  to  live  among  the  In- 
dians as  missionaries,  while  quite  a  number  were  con- 
tent to  stay  in  Savannah,  unless  absolutely  forced  to 
leave,  or  definitely  called  to  labor  elsewhere.  How- 
ever, no  immediate  steps  were  taken  toward  break- 
ing up  the  settlement. 

On  the  1 2th  of  August,  Spangenberg  and  Wesley 
visited  the  Salzburgers  at  Ebenezer,  by  the  invitation 
of  Bolzius,  the  senior  pastor.  They,  too,  had  had 
their  troubles  without  and  within,  and  Gronati  had 
mourned  over  the  fact  to  the  Moravians,  who  deeply 
sympathized  with  him.  At  this  time  Gronati  and 
Bolzius  differed  greatly  in  their  feeling  for  the 
Moravians.  Gronati  was  openly  and  honestly  on 
the  best  of  terms  with  them,  but  Bolzius,  while  oc- 
casionally accepting  their  hospitality  in  Savannah, 
sent  complaints  to  the  Trustees,  in  keeping  with  his 
original  protest  against  their  coming  to  Georgia.  The 
English  friends  of  the  Moravians  heard  of  these  let- 
ters, and  were  much  puzzled,  as  the  reports  from  the 
Savannah  Congregation  spoke  only  of  pleasant  rela- 
tions with  the  Salzburgers.  and  requests  for  union 
of  the  two  forces.  Probably  Bolzius  was  fretted 
by  their  refusal  to  join  him,  even  as  the  leaders  at 
Halle  resented  the  independence  of  Herrnhut.  and 
after  Gronau's  death,  in  1745,  the  pastors  of  Eben- 
czcr  steadily  opposed  the  efforts  of  the  Moravians 
to  recommence  a  mission  work  in  Georgia. 


DISINTEGRATION.  179 

Apart  from  the  friction  with  their  fellow  towns- 
men and  the  lack  of  united  purpose  among  their  own 
number,  Spangenberg  found  the  [Moravian  colony  in 
good  condition.  Their  devotional  hours  were  stead- 
ily observed,  the  Lord's  Supper  was  celebrated  reg- 
ularly, and  a  weekly  conference  kept  the  many  in- 
terests of  the  "Society"  running  smoothly. 

By  the  aid  of  the  second  company,  various  im- 
provements had  been  made,  so  that  their  lots  and 
garden  presented  a  prosperous  appearance.  "They 
have  a  house  in  town  (on  Spangenberg's  lot)  with  a 
supply  of  wood  for  the  kitchen.  Behind  the  house 
is  a  well,  with  a  pump,  on  which  almost  the  whole 
town  depends,  for  it  not  only  never  goes  dry,  as 
do  all  the  others,  but  it  has  the  best  water  to  be 
found  in  the  town.  From  early  morning  to  late  at 
night  the  people  come  with  barrels,  pails  and  pitch- 
ers, to  take  the  water  to  their  homes.  Once  some 
one  suggested  that  strangers  should  be  charged  so 
much  a  pail  for  the  benefit  of  the  orphans,  but  Frank 
said  'they  have  so  far  received  spiritual  water  from 
us  without  price,  let  them  also  have  this  freely.'  Be- 
tween the  well  and  the  house  is  a  cow  shed.  They 
have  a  cow,  which  is  pastured  out  during  the  day, 
but  comes  back  in  the  evening,  and  they  use  the 
milk  and  butter  for  the  sick.  Near  the  shed  is  a 
kitchen  and  bake-ovcn,  and  on  the  other  side  a  hut 
for  their  provisions.  Behind  the  well,  on  Nitsch- 
mann's  lot,  stands  on  one  side  Tanneberger's  and 
on  the  other  Rose's  cabin,  with  a  roof  between, 
under  which  the  leather  is  stored,  which  is  to  be 
made  into  shoes. 

''Two   English   miles    from   the   town   thev   have 


180  THE  MORAVIANS  ix  GEORGIA. 

cleared  ten  acres,  (the  garden)  and  planted  corn  and 
rice,  which  is  growing  nicely.  They  have  set  out 
mulberry,  peach,  and  apple  trees,  which  arc  doing 
well ;  in  the  middle  of  the  garden,  which  is  enclosed 
with  a  fence  and  ditch,  they  have  built  a  corn-house, 
a  cabin  in  which  to  live,  and  a  stable/'  Another 
cabin,  the  first  erected  in  the  garden,  had  been 
burned  in  January,  at  which  time  Airs.  Waschke  was 
living  in  it,  though  she  was  away  when  it  caught 
fire,  and  returned  too  late  to  give  an  alarm  and 
save  it.  The  farm  four  miles  from  town  was  prov- 
ing unsatisfactory,  requiring  much  labor  and  yield- 
ing little  return,  and  they  had  about  decided  to  stop 
cultivating  it,  and  give  all  their  effort  to  the  gar- 
den, which  was  paying  well. 

From  the  I4th  to  the  i/th  of  August.  Spangen- 
berg  busied  himself  with  the  account  between  the 
Moravians  and  the  Trustees.  In  addition  to  the 
bonds  signed  by  the  first  and  second  companies  for 
their  passage  to  Georgia,  and  provisions  to  be  de- 
livered on  arrival,  it  had  been  necessary  to  get  a 
great  deal  at  the  store  on  credit.  On  the  other  hand 
the  men  had  done  a  considerable  amount  of  carpen- 
ter work  and  hauling  for  the  Trustees  and  for 
others.  The  account  on  the  books  at  the  Trustees' 
store  was  all  in  confusion,  and  as  everybody  at  the 
store  claimed  to  be  too  busy  to  unravel  it,  Spangen- 
berg  obtained  permission  to  do  it  himself,  and  found 
that  in  addition  to  the  bonds,  (/f>o:  and  £226:  13: 
0.  )  the  Moravians  had  taken  supplies  to  an  amount 
which  gave  them  a  total  debt  of  some  £500:  ($2.400.- 
oo).  Against  this  thcv  had  a  credit  which  entirelv 


DISINTEGRATION.  181 

paid  their  current  account  at  the  store,  and  reduced 
their  debt  to  the  Trustees  to  £121  :  2 :  9,  ($580.80). 
On  the  iQth,  a  Lovefeast  was  held  in  honor  of 
Spangenberg  and  Eckstein,  and  on  the  2ist  of 
August  the  two  visitors  sailed  for  Pennsylvania, 
landing  there  safely  in  due  time. 

A    CLOSING   DOOR. 

With  the  month  of  September  letters  began  to 
come  from  England  and  Germany  in  response  to 
Dober's  report,  and  the  communications  sent  by 
Ingham,  who  presented  the  Moravian  request  to 
the  Trustees,  (receiving  "a  sour  answer,")  and  also 
sent  a  full  account  of  their  circumstances  to  Count 
Zinzendorf.  The  Count  had  already  written  to 
his  distressed  brethren,  giving  his  advice  on  various 
points,  and  this  letter,  which  was  the  first  to  arrive, 
gave  them  little  comfort.  They  had  once  hoped  for 
reinforcements,  earnest  men  and  women  who  would 
strengthen  their  hands  for  the  work  among  the 
Indians,  and  even  now  it  was  disappointing  to  hear 
that  Zinzenclorf  had  decided  not  to  send  any  more 
colonists  to  Georgia.  He  argued  that  it  would  take 
very  few  men  to  supply  teachers  for  Tomochichi's 
little  village,  and  that  as  the  Trustees  would  only 
permit  four  missionaries  among  the  more  distant 
tribes,  that  number  could  easily  be  spared  from  the 
company  already  in  Savannah. 

Regarding  military  service  he  repeated  his  for- 
mer definite  instructions,  "you  will  not  bear  arms 
either  defensive  or  offensive."  He  said  that  he  had 
tried  to  secure  from  the  Trustees  a  formal  "dispen- 
sation," either  verbal  or  written,  exempting  the  Mo- 
ravians entirelv  from  militarv  duty,  but  thev  refused 


1 82  TH ic  MORAVIANS  IN  GEORGIA. 

to  give  it,  insisting  that  the  Moravians  must  at  least 
employ  two  men  to  represent  the  two  town  lots  in 
defense  of  the  country.  Zinzcndorf  had  agreed  to 
this,  so  far  as  the  night  watch  was  concerned,  since 
such  a  watch  was  necessary  for  civic  peace  and  well- 
being,  and  the  Moravians  were  authorized  to  pay 
the  necessary  sums  therefor,  but  he  considered  it  in- 
consistent to  refuse  to  fight  as  a  matter  of  con- 
science and  then  hire  others  to  do  it,  and  so,  as  he 
said,  "there  is  nothing  to  do  but  to  say  no,  and 
wait." 

Although  Spangcnberg  had  hoped  it  would  not 
be  necessary  for  the  Moravians  to  leave  Georgia,  he 
had  sent  the  Trustees  their  request  for  permission 
to  go,  adding,  "Xor  indeed  is  there  any  reason  why 
they  should  be  detained,  since  it  is  their  full  inten- 
tion and  design  to  pay  every  farthing  of  their  debt 
before  they  stir  a  foot;  and  they  have  never  yet  sold 
their  libertv  to  any  man.  neither  are  they  bound  to 
any  man  by  an}'  writing  or  agreement  whatsoever. 
I  doubt  not  therefore  but  ye  will  readily  shew  the 
same  clemency  towards  innocent  and  inoffensive 
men,  which  any  one  may  expect  from  your  Honors, 
whose  business  is  not  to  destroy  but  to  save  and 
benefit  mankind.  May  it  please  you  therefore  to 
send  orders  to  the  Magistrate  of  Savannah  that 
these  people  may  have  leave  to  depart  that  Province. 
1  do  assure  vour  Honors  they  always  thought  it  a 
great  favor  that  ye  were  pleased  to  send  them  thith- 
er ;  but  now  they  will  think  it  a  greater  to  be  dis- 
missed." 

In  reply  the  Trustees  wrote  to  Mr.  Causton,  for- 
bidding the  introduction  of  martial  law  without  their 


DISINTEGRATION.  183 

express  order,  and  reproving  him  for  having  re- 
quired more  than  two  men  from  the  Moravians, 
but  in  that  very  reproof  practically  insisting  that 
two  must  serve.  The  Moravians  thought  they  had 
defined  their  position  clearly  at  the  outset,  and  be- 
lieved they  had  the  Trustees'  promise  that  all  should 
be  as  they  desired,  and  if  the  Trustees  realized  the 
construction  placed  upon  their  words  they  had  taken 
a  most  unfair  advantage  of  the  Moravians  by  offer- 
ing them  the  two  town  lots  as  a  special  favor,  and 
then  using  the  ownership  of  those  lots  as  a  lever  to 
force  unwelcome  service.  On  the  other  hand  the 
Trustees  claimed  that  Zinzendorf  had  tacitly  agreed 
to  furnish  two  fighting  men  when  he  allowed  Span- 
genberg  and  Nitschmann  to  take  the  two  freeholds, 
and  one  can  hardly  imagine  that  the  gentlemen  who 
served  as  Trustees  of  Georgia  would  stoop  to  a  sub- 
terfuge to  gain  two  soldiers.  Probably  it  was  an 
honest  misunderstanding  for  which  neither  side  was 
to  blame,  and  of  which  neither  could  give  a  satisfac- 
tory explanation,  each  party  having  had  a  clear  idea 
of  his  own  position,  and  having  failed  to  realize  that 
in  the  confusion  of  tongues  the  other  never  did 
grasp  the  main  point  clearly. 

Regarding  the  Moravian  request  for  permission 
to  leave,  the  Trustees  declined  to  give  instructions 
until  after  an  exchange  of  letters  with  Zinzendorf; 
but  in  a  second  letter  to  his  Congregation,  the  Count 
wrote,  "If  some  do  not  wish  to  remain,  let  them  go," 
and  "if  the  authorities  will  not  do  what  you  de- 
mand it  is  certain  that  you  must  break  up  and  go 
further ;  but  whether  to  Pennsylvania,  or  New  York 
or  Carolina,  the  Lord  will  show  you."  Carolina 


184  THE  MORAVIANS  IN  GEORGIA. 

would  be  no  better  than  Georgia  for  their  purpose, 
for  the  military  conditions  were  identical,  and  13ish- 
op  Nitschmann's  advice  that  they  go  to  Pennsyl- 
vania, together  with  Spangenberg's  residence  there, 
decided  them  in  favor  of  that  location. 

Zinzendorfs  permission  having  cleared  the  way 
for  departure,  they  resolved  to  wait  no  longer  on  the 
Trustees,  and  a  general  conference  was  held  on 
September  i8th,  in  which  definite  arrangements 
were  made  for  the  assumption  of  the  debt  by  those 
who  were  willing  as  yet  to  remain  in  Georgia,  free- 
ing the  four  who  were  to  go  first.  A  recent  letter 
had  informed  Tanneberger  of  the  death  of  his  wife 
and  children  in  Ilerrnhut.  and  the  news  shattered 
his  already  weak  allegiance.  \Yithout  them  he  cared 
little  where  he  went,  or  what  became  of  him.  if 
only  he  could  get  away,  and  Haberccht  was  more 
than  ready  to  join  him.  His  young  son  went  as  a 
matter  of  course,  and  Mcver,  another  member  who 
had  been  lazy  and  unsatisfactory,  completed  the 
party,  which  sailed  for  Pennsylvania  on  the  i6th  of 
( )clober.  Jag  also  intended  to  go,  but  for  some 
reason  waited  for  the  next  company. 

Haberecht  settled  at  Kphrata,  and  the  two  Tanne- 
bergers  at  Germantown.  In  1741,  1  Taberccht  join- 
ed the  Moravians  who  were  building  in  "the  lorks 
of  the  Delaware,"  and  became  one  of  the  first  mem- 
bers of  the  Bethlehem  Congregation.  Tn  1/45, 
David  Tanneberger  married  Regina  Dcmuth,  who 
had  lost  her  husband  the  previous  year,  and  they 
ultimately  moved  to  Bethlehem  also.  Meyer  never 
renewed  his  association  with  the  Moravians. 


DISINTEGRATION.  185 

Before  the  four  started  to  Pennsylvania,  another 
member  had  taken  the  longer  journey,  and  had  been 
laid  beside  his  brethren  in  the  Savannah  cemetery. 
This  was  George  Haberland,  who  died  September 
3oth,  from  flux,  a  prevalent  disease,  from  which  al- 
most all  of  the  colonists  suffered  at  one  time  or  an- 
other. He  had  learned  much  during  his  life  in 
Georgia,  had  been  confirmed  in  June  with  his 
brother  Michael,  and  had  afterward  served  accept- 
ably as  a  "Diener'  of  the  Congregation. 

On  the  /th  of  October,  Seifert  and  Bohner  moved 
to  Tomochichi's  village  to  perfect  themselves  in  the 
language,  and  begin  their  missionary  work.  As 
some  of  the  congregation  had  already  left  Savannah, 
and  others  were  soon  to  follow,  Seifert  thought  that 
he  could  be  spared  even  though  he  was  "Aeltester/' 
especially  as  at  first  he  returned  to  Savannah  every 
Saturday  to  hold  the  Sunday  services.  In  Novem- 
ber he  and  Bohner  spent  several  weeks  in  town  help- 
ing the  carpenters  raise  the  frame  of  a  large  house 
they  were  building,  and  when  they  returned  to  the 
Indians  in  January,  1/38,  Peter  Rose,  his  wife,  and 
surviving  daughter  went  with  them. 

Friday,  December  I3th,  John  Wesley  left  Savan- 
nah, to  return  to  England.  His  popularity  had  long 
since  waned,  in  the  face  of  his  rigid  insistance  on 
ecclesiastical  rules,  and  it  was  said  ''the  Brethren 
alone  can  understand  him,  and  remain  in  love  with 
him."  He  was  unfortunate  enough  to  provoke  a 
spiteful  woman,  a  niece  of  Mr.  Causton,  the  Magis- 
trate, and  so  greatly  did  the  persecution  rage  under 
her  influence,  that  Wesley's  chance  of  doing  further 
good  was  ruined,  and  nothing  was  left  but  for  him 


1 80  THE  MORAVIANS  IN  GEORGIA. 

to  withdraw.  The  Magistrates  forbade  him  to 
leave,  (secretly  rejoicing  that  they  had  driven  him 
away,)  but  he  boldly  took  his  departure,  without 
molestation,  making  his  way  to  Beaufort,  where 
Charles  Delamottc  joined  him.  Together  they 
went  to  Charlestown,  where  he  parted  from  Dela- 
motte,  and  on  the  2nd  of  January,  1738,  sailed  from 
the  continent  that  had  witnessed  the  shattering  of 
so  many  fond  hopes  and  ambitions. 

Forty-seven  years  later  Brierly  Allen  settled  in 
Savannah,  the  first  minister  there  to  represent  the 
great  denomination  which  grew  from  Wesley's  later 
work  in  England,  and  the  first  Methodist  Society  in 
that  city  of  his  humiliation  wras  organized  in  1806. 

During  the  preceding  summer  Zinzendorf  had 
written  to  the  Trustees,  asking  once  more  lor  ( i ) 
entire  exemption  from  military  service  for  the 
Georgia  Moravians,  for  (2)  permission  for  them  to 
leave  Georgia  if  this  could  not  be  granted,  and  (3) 
that  at  least  four  might  remain  among  the  Indians 
as  missionaries. 

In  answer  the  Trustees  (i)  repeated  their  former 
decision  regarding  freehold  representation.  (2)  gave 
consent  for  the  Moravians  to  leave  if  they  would  not 
comply  with  this,  and  (3)  refused  to  let  them  stay 
as  missionaries.  "The  privilege  of  going  among 
the  Indians  was  given  to  your  people  out  of  consid- 
eration for  Your  Excellency,  and  also  on  account  of 
their  good  conduct,  they  being  citizens  of  this  col- 
on}- ;  but  if  they  cease  to  reside  there,  this  privilege 
will  not  be  continued  to  any  of  them.  To  employ 
them  as  missionaries  to  instruct  the  Indians  would 
be  a  reflection  on  our  countrv,  as  if  it  could  not  fur- 


DISINTEGRATION.  187 

nish  a  sufficient  number  of  pious  men  to  preach  the 
Gospel  of  Jesus  Christ.  Therefore  your  people  may 
continue  among  the  Indians,  only  so  long  as  they 
are  citizens  of  the  colony." 

This  was  the  death-blow  to  the  Moravian  settle- 
ment in  Georgia.  Had  the  Trustees  exemplified 
their  much-vaunted  religious  toleration  by  respect- 
ing the  conscientious  scruples  of  the  Moravians, 
there  were  enough  members  of  the  Savannah  Con- 
gregation \vho  wanted  to  stay  in  Georgia  to  form  the 
nucleus  of  the  larger  colony  which  would  surely 
have  followed  them,  for  while  they  were  willing  to 
give  up  everything  except  religious  liberty,  they 
were  human  enough  to  regret  having  to  abandon  the 
improvements  which  they  had  made  at  the  cost  of 
so  much  labor  and  self-denial.  The  Church  at  large 
shared  this  feeling,  and  for  many  years  watched  and 
waited  for  an  opportunity  to  re-open  the  work  in 
Savannah,  but  without  result.  If  the  Trustees  had 
even  permitted  the  Moravians  to  stay  as  mission- 
aries it  might  have  saved  the  settlement  to  Georgia, 
for  within  a  decade  the  English  Parliament  passed 
an  Act  granting  the  Moravians  the  very  exemption 
for  which  they  now  asked  in  vain,  and  had  there 
been  a  promising  work  begun  among  the  Indians 
during  the  intervening  years  it  would  inevitably 
have  drawn  more  laborers,  as  it  did  in  Pennsyl- 
vania. But  the  Trustees  shut  the  door  in  their 
faces,  other  promising  and  more  hospitable  fields 
opened,  and  the  Moravian  efforts  were  thereafter 
given  to  the  upbuilding  of  other  commonwealths. 

In  the  latter  part  of  January,  1738,  eight  more  of 
the  Moravian  colonists  left  Savannah, — Gotthard 


i88  THE  MORAVIANS  IN  GEORGIA. 

Demnth  and  his  wife,  George  Waschke,  his  wife 
and  mother,  Augustin  Xeisser,  Gottlieb  Deinuth, 
and  David  Jag,  those  who  remained  giving  them 
money  and  provisions  for  their  journey  to  Pennsyl- 
vania. Gotthard  Demuth  and  wife  settled  in  Ger- 
mantown, later  moving  to  Bethlehem  and  joining  in 
the  organization  of  that  Congregation.  In  1743 
thev  were  again  living  at  Germantown,  where  Gott- 
hard died  the  following  year.  Regina  subsequently 
married  David  Tanneberger  and  moved  once  more 
to  Bethlehem.  Gottlieb  Demuth  lived  at  several 
places,  but  finally  married,  and  settled  in  the  Mora- 
vian Congregation  at  Schoeneck.  Jag,  who  located 
at  Goshenhopper,  and  the  \Yaschkes  and  Augustin 
Xeisser  who  went  to  Germantown,  never  rejoined 
the  Church. 

On  the  28th  of  January,  the  Moravians  in  Savan- 
nah received  an  unlooked-for  addition  to  their  num- 
ber. Toltschig  wrote  to  Spangenberg,  "Yesterday 
two  boys,  who  belong  to  Herrnhut.  came  unexpect- 
edly to  our  house.  Thev  ran  awav  from  the  P>  ret  li- 
re n  in  Yssclstein  and  went  to  Mr.  Oglethorpc  in 
London,  begging  him  to  send  them  to  the  Brethren 
in  Georgia.  lie  did  so,  but  we  will  have  to  pay 
their  transportation.  ( )ne  is  Zeisberger's  son  David, 
about  17  years  old,  and  the  other  John  Michael 
Schobcr,  about  15  years  old.  Both  are  bad  boys.'' 
It  appears  that  when  Zeisberger's  parents  went  to 
Georgia  he  was  left  in  .1  lerrnhut  to  finish  his  educa- 
tion. From  there  Count  Zin/endorf  took  him  to  a 
Moravian  settlement  near  I'trccht,  Holland,  where 
he  was  employed  as  errand  bov  in  a  shop.  He  was 
treated  with  well-meant  but  ill-judged  severity,  and 


DlSlXTKC.RATIOX.  189 

finally  after  a  particularly  trying  and  undeserved 
piece  of  harshness  in  October,  1737,  he  and  his 
friend  Schober  decided  to  try  and  make  their  way 
to  his  parents  in  Georgia,  in  this  they  succeeded, 
and  though  their  story  was  received  with  disappro- 
bation, they  soon  made  a  place  for  themselves. 
Schober  did  not  live  very  long,  but  Zeisberger,  from 
the  "bad  boy"  of  Toltschig's  letter,  became  the  as- 
sistant of  Peter  Rohler  in  South  Carolina,  and  later 
the  great  "apostle  to  the  Indians." 

During  this  Spring  the  Moravians  strained  every 
nerve  to  do  an  amount  of  work  sufficient  to  balance 
their  account  with  the  Trustees.  It  took  a  little 
longer  than  th.'y  expected,  but  at  last  Toltschig  was 
ready  for  his  journey  to  England,  the  lot  having 
previously  decided  that  he  should  go  as  soon  as 
financial  affairs  made  it  proper.  His  wife  remained 
in  Savannah,  it  being  uncertain  whether  he  would 
stay  in  Germany  or  return  to  America.  John  Reg- 
nier  took  his  place  as  financial  agent  of  the  Mora- 
vians. 

On  March  T2th.  Toltschig  went  aboard  a  ship, 
bound  for  Charlestown.  sailing  from  Tybee  two 
days  later.  On  the  iSth,  he  reached  Charlestown, 
whence  he  sailed  April  1st.  bearing  with  him  the 
record  of  their  account  with  the  Trustees,  and  com- 
missioned to  tell  the  authorities  at  Herrnhut  all 
about  the  Georgia  colon}-.  On  the  3Oth  of  May, 
the  vessel  touched  at  Cowes.  where  Toltschig  land- 
ed, making  his  way  overland  to  London  which  he 
reached  on  the  2nd  of  June. 

On  the   uth  oi  June,  Toltschig,  accompanied  by 


T  0,0  Til. 

Richter,  went  to  present  the  account  to  the  Trustees. 
They  asked  him  many  questions  concerning  Geor- 
gia, all  of  which  he  answered  frankly,  receiving  most 
courteous  attention.  Three  days  later  a  settlement 
was  reached.  The  written  accounts  showed  that  the 
Moravians  were  short  L 3  :  5:  5,  which  Toltschig  of- 
fered to  pay  in  cash,  but  the  Trustees  said  they 
realized  that  the  supplies  provided  for  in  the  second 
bond  had  been  rated  at  a  higher  price  in  Georgia 
than  in  England,  and  they  were  content  to  consider 
the  obligations  as  fully  discharged,  interest  includ- 
ed. Toltschig  answered  "1  am  rrry  glad."  a  short 
sentence  which  spoke  volumes  ! 

WICSIJvY,    1XC.IIAM    AND   TOI/l'SCl!  1C,. 

During  the  days  which  elapsed  between  his  ar- 
rival in  London  and  the  meeting  of  the  Trustees, 
Toltschig  had  many  interviews  with  thosL'  who  had 
been  "awakened"  by  the  two  companies  of  Mora- 
vian colonists,  1)y  Count  Zinzendorf,  and  by  Peter 
llohler  and  George  Schulius.  The  last  two  were 
even  then  at  Portsmouth,  on  their  way  to  America, 
and  the  interest  caused  by  their  visit  was  very  mani- 
fest. 

John  and  Charles  Wesley  had  been  particularly 
attracted  to  I'ohler.  the  former  especially  finding 
great  relief  in  laying  his  many  spiritual  perplexities 
before  him.  Wesley  complained  that  when  he  con- 
versed with  Spangenberg  in  Georgia,  and  they  could 
not  agree  on  any  point.  Spangenberg  would  drop  the 
subject  and  refuse  to  discuss  it  further,  but  in  I'oh- 
ler  he  Jound  a  clearness  of  argument,  and  power  of 
persuasion  which  convinced  without  irritating  him. 


PKTKR  BOKHLKR. 


DISINTEGRATION.  191 

Having  passed  through  many  stages  with  the 
guidance,  sympathy  and  encouragement  of  Bohler, 
Wesley  at  last  found  the  assurance  of  salvation  he 
had  sought  for  so  many  years,  and  three  weeks  after 
Bohler  left  London,  he  records  that  at  a  meeting  of 
'  their  society  "I  felt  I  did  trust  in  Christ,  Christ 
alone  for  salvation,  and  an  assurance  was  given  me 
that  he  had  taken  away  my  sins,  even  mine,  and 
saved  me  from  the  law  of  sin  and  death."  A  few 
days  previously  his  brother  Charles  had  made  the 
same  happy  experience,  and  this  gave  to  their  reli- 
gious life  the  warmth  and  fervor  which,  added  to 
the  zeal,  industry  and  enthusiasm  that  had  always 
characterized  them,  made  their  labors  of  so  much 
value  to  England,  and  founded  the  denomination 
which  has  grown  so  rapidly  in  America,  still  bearing 
the  name  once  given  in  derision  to  the  little  group  of 
Oxford  '''Methodists." 

But  Wesley's  mind  was  not  one  of  those  which 
can  rest  contentedly  upon  one  vital  truth,  he  must 
needs  run  the  whole  gamut  of  emotion,  and  resolve 
every  point  raised  by  himself  or  others  into  a  defi- 
nite negative  or  affirmative  in  his  own  life.  Once 
settled  in  a  position  to  his  entire  satisfaction,  he  was 
as  immovable  as  a  mountain,  and  this  was  at  once 
the  source  of  his  power  and  his  weakness,  for  thou- 
sands gladly  followed  the  resolute  man,  and  found 
their  own  salvation  therein,  while  on  the  other  hand 
the  will  which  would  never  bend  clashed  hopelessly 
with  those  who  wished  sometimes  to  take  their  turn 
in  leading.  So  he  became  an  outcast  from  the 
Church  of  England,  alienated  from  Ingham,  White- 
field,  and  other  friends  of  his  youth,  estranged  from 


192  Tin-;  MORAVIANS  ix  GKORGIA. 

the  Moravians,  even  while  he  was  one  of  the  great- 
est religious  leaders  England  has  ever  produced. 

At  the  lime  of  Toltschig's  sojourn  in  London, 
however,  he  was  in  the  early,  troubled  stage  of  his 
experience,  rejoicing  in  what  he  had  attained 
through  1  Jollier's  influence,  but  beset  with  doubts 
and  fears.  And  so,  as  he  records  in  his  Journal,  he 
determined  "to  retire  for  a  short  time  into  Ger- 
many, where  he  hoped  the  conversing  with  those 
holy  men  who  were  themselves  living  witnesses  of 
the  full  power  of  faith,  and  yet  able  to  bear  with 
those  that  are  weak,  would  be  a  means,  under  God, 
of  so  establishing  his  soul,  that  he  might  go  on  from 
faith  to  faith,  and  from  strength  to  strength." 

Jngham,  meanwhile,  informed  of  Toltschig's  ar- 
rival in  London,  had  hastened  "over  one  hundred 
and  forty  miles"  to  see  his  friend,  a  fact  that  seems 
to  have  touched  Toltschig  deeply,  and  arranged  to 
go  with  him  to  Herrnhut,  as  they  had  often  planned 
while  still  in  Georgia.  John  Wesley  joined  them, 
and  the  three  young  men  sailed  on  |nne  24th,  land- 
ing at  Rotterdam  two  days  later.  Wcslev's  Jour- 
nal does  not  mention  Toltschig  bv  name,  but  on  leav- 
ing Rotterdam  he  says,  "we  were  eight  in  all.  live 
English  and  three  Germans."  and  there  is  no  doubt 
that  Toltschig  went  with  them  to  .Marienhnrn  to  re- 
port to  Count  Zinzendorf,  who  was  living  there  dur- 
ing his  temporary  exile  from  llerrnhnt. 

In  Rotterdam,  Dr.  Koker  showed  the  party  much 
kindness,  while  at  llaron  von  Watteville's  in  Yssel- 
stein,  they  were  received  ''as  at  home.''  At  Amster- 
dam, they  joined  in  the  meeting  of  the  '"societies" 
established  under  Moravian  influences,  and  from 


DISINTEGRATION.  193 

there  proceeded  to  Cologne,  and  up  the  Rhine  to 
Frankfort.  Having  neglected  to  supply  themselves 
with  passports,  they  experienced  much  difficulty 
whenever  they  reached  a  walled  city,  sometimes  be- 
ing refused  admittance  altogether,  and  at  other 
times  being  allowed  to  enter  only  after  much  delay, 
which  caused  Wesley  to  "greatly  wonder  that  com- 
mon sense  and  common  humanity  do  not  put  an  end 
to  this  senseless,  inhuman  usage  of  strangers." 
When  any  of  their  number  had  an  acquaintance  in 
the  city  to  which  they  had  come  they  sent  in  a  note 
to  him,  and  he  would  arrange  for  their  entrance,  and 
at  Frankfort  they  applied  to  Peter  Bohler's  father, 
who  entertained  them  ''in  the  most  friendly  man- 
ner.''' 

On  Tuesday,  July  I5th,  they  reached  Marienborn, 
where  Wesley  remained  for  fifteen  days,  and  Ing- 
ham  for  about  seven  weeks. 

From  Marienborn,  Wesley  went  to  Herrnhut, 
stopping  at  Erfurt,  Weimar,  Jena,  Halle,  Leipsig 
and  Dresden  on  the  way.  He  remained  at.  Herrnhut 
twelve  days,  and  then  returned  by  the  same  route  to 
Marienborn,  and  to  England. 

This  trip  to  Germany  has  been  given  as  the  begin- 
ning of  the  breach  between  Wesley  and  the  Mora- 
vians, but  it  is  doubtful  whether  such  was  really  the 
case.  In  the  "Memoirs  of  James  Hutton"  it  is 
stated  that  Wesley  was  offended  because  Ingham 
was  admitted  to  the  Communion  at  Marienborn, 
while  permission  was  refused  him,  and  that  he 
secretly  brooded  over  the  injury,  but  Wesley  him- 
self does  not  mention  the  occurrence,  and  refers  to 
Marienborn  as  a  place  where  he  met  what  he 


194  Tine  MORAVIANS  IN  GEORGIA. 

''sought  for,  viz. :  living  proofs  of  the  power  of 
faith/'  and  where  he  stayed  twelve  days  longer  than 
he  at  first  intended.  The  tone  of  his  account  of 
Hcrrnhut  is  also  distinctly  friendly,  though  he  did 
not  unreservedly  accept  two  or  three  theological 
statements  made  to  him,  but  the  long  conversations 
he  records  prove  his  joy  at  finding  sympathy,  and 
confirmation  of  what  he  wanted  to  believe  concern- 
ing justification  by  faith,  and  the  fact  that  a  weak 
faith  was  still  a  real  faith,  and  as  such  should  be 
cherished  and  strengthened,  not  despised.  lie  could 
not  have  been  greatly  influenced  against  the  Mora- 
vians by  his  visit  to  Halle,  for  each  time  he  stayed 
but  one  night,  and  on  the  first  occasion  Professor 
Franckc  was  not  at  home,  nor  were  their  arguments 
new  to  him,  that  they  should  have  impressed  him 
deeply. 

It  frequently  happens  that  when  a  controversy 
has  arisen  between  friends,  both  parties  look  back- 
ward and  read  into  former  words  and  deeds  a  mean- 
ing they  did  not  have  at  the  time  they  transpired, 
and  most  probablv  this  is  what  has  happened  in  re- 
gard to  the  trip  to  Germany  and  its  effect  on  Wes- 
ley. 

Immediately  on  his  return  to  Kngland,  Wesley 
began  an  active  religious  campaign,  drawing  such 
crowds  of  all  kinds  of  people  that  the  various 
churches  in  turn  closed  their  doors  upon  him,  and 
eight  months  later  he  followed  Whitefield  into  open 
air  preaching,  after  consultation  with  the  Fetter 
Lane  Society.  This  Society  had  been  organized  at 
the  time  ol  Holder's  visit  to  London,  and  was  com- 
posed of  members  of  the  earlier  Methodist  societies, 


DISINTEGRATION.  195 

Germans  residing  in  London,  and  English  who  had 
been  interested  in  salvation  by  Zinzendorf  and  the 
Moravian  companies  bound  for  Georgia.  It  had 
met  in  the  home  of  James  Hutton  until  it  outgrew 
the  rooms,  and  was  then  transferred  to  the  Chapel 
at  32  Fetter  Lane.  It  was  an  independent  Society, 
with  no  organic  connection  with  the  Moravian 
Church,  and  the  religious  work  was  carried  on  under 
the  leadership  of  John  Wesley,  and,  in  his  frequent 
absences,  by  James  Hutton  and  others  who  leaned 
strongly  toward  the  Moravians,  some  of  whose  cus- 
toms had  been  adopted  by  the  Society.  The  Hutton 
"Memoirs"  state  that  Wesley  made  an  effort  to 
break  off  intercourse  between  the  Society  and  the 
Moravians  soon  after  his  return  from  Germany,  but 
failed,  and  matters  continued  to  move  smoothly  un- 
til about  the  time  that  Wesley  began  his  field  preach- 
ing. During  the  subsequent  months  disputes  arose 
among  the  members,  largely  on  account  of  views  in- 
troduced by  Philip  Henry  Molther,  who  at  that  time 
had  a  tendency  toward  "Quietism."  Molther  was 
detained  for  some  time  in  England,  waiting  for  a 
ship  to  take  him  to  Pennsylvania,  he  having  receiv- 
ed a  call  to  labor  in  the  Moravian  Churches  there, 
and  being  a  fluent  speaker  he  learned  English  rap- 
idly and  made  a  deep  impression  on  many  hearers. 
Wesley  was  much  hurt  by  the  dissensions  in  his 
Society,  and  entirely  opposed  to  Molther's  views, 
and  after  several  efforts  to  bring  all  the  members 
back  to  his  own  position,  he,  on  Sunday,  July  3ist, 
1/40,  solemnly  and  definitely  condemned  the  "er- 
rors" and  withdrew  from  the  Fetter  Lane  Society, 
adding  "You  that  are  of  the  same  judgment,  follow 


](/>  Til  1C   MORAVIANS   JN    GlCORGIA. 

me."  About  twenty-five  of  the  men  and  "seven  or 
eight  and  forty  likewise  of  the  fifty  women  that 
were  in  the  band"  accepted  his  invitation,  and  with 
them  he  organized  the  "Foundry  Society.''  Into 
the  Foundry  Society  and  the  many  others  organized 
among  his  converts,  Weslev  introduced  lovcfcasts 
and  "bands"  (or  "classes,"')  both  familiar  to  him 
from  the  Fetter  Lane  Society,  which  had  copied 
them  from  the  Moravians.  When  his  societies  grew 
so  numerous  that  he  could  not  personally  serve  them 
all  he  selected  lay  assistants,  and  then  "became  con- 
vinced that  presbyter  and  bishop  are  of  the  same 
order,  and  that  he  had  as  good  a  right  to  ordain  as  to 
administer  the  Sacraments.'''  lie,  therefore,  ordain- 
ed bishops  for  America,  and  Scotland,  and  register- 
ed his  chapels  in  order  to  protect  them,  according  to 
the  Act  of  Toleration.  This  gave  the  Methodist 
body  a  separate  legal  status,  but  Wesley  ahvays 
claimed  that  he  was  still  a  member  of  the  Church  of 
England,  and  would  not  allow  the  preachers  of  his 
English  societies  to  administer  the  Sacraments,  a 
right  which  was  finally  granted  them  by  the  Metho- 
dist Conference  after  his  death. 

\\hcn  ]>enjamin  Jngham  returned  from  Georgia 
he  commenced  to  preach  the  Gospel  in  Yorkshire, 
his  native  place,  and  at  the  time  of  his  journey  to 
Gennanv  a  promising  work  was  begun  there.  From 
Ilerrnhut  he  wrote  to  Count  Zinzendorf  asking  that 
TdUschig  be  permitted  to  visit  him  in  England,  and 
the  request  was  granted  a  few  months  later.  Mean- 
while Ingham's  work  prospered  mightily,  so  that  in 
June,  1739,  he  was  forbidden  the  use  of  the 


DISINTEGRATION.  197 

churches,  and  forced  to  imitate  Wesley  and  preach 
in  the  open  air.  Some  forty  societies  were  formed, 
and  in  November,  Toltschig  went  to  him,  making 
many  friends  among  the  people,  repeating  his  visit 
at  intervals  during  the  following  months. 

The  intimacy  between  Ingham  and  the  Moravians 
became  closer  and  closer,  and  in  July,  1742,  he  form- 
ally handed  over  the  care  of  his  societies  in  York- 
shire and  Lascashire  to  the  Moravian  Church,  him- 
self going  into  new  fields,  and  then  giving  new  so- 
cieties into  their  keeping.  It  has  often  been  stated 
that  Ingham  was  a  Moravian,  but  this  is  a  mistake. 
During  these  years  he  worked  with  them  shoulder 
to  shoulder,  but  there  is  no  record  of  his  having 
been  received  into  their  Church  as  a  member,  nor 
did  they  reordain  him  into  their  ministry.  The  sit- 
uation would  be  more  strange  to-day  than  it  was 
then,  for  there  was  apparent  chaos  in  England,  the 
Spirit  of  God  moving  upon  the  face  of  the  waters  be- 
fore "light  shone,  and  order  from  disorder  sprung." 
and  the  Moravians  did  not  care  to  emphasize  their 
independence  of  the  Anglican  Church  lest  it  injure 
their  usefulness.  In  1744,  when  England  \vas 
threatened  with  a  French  invasion,  a  number  of  loyal 
addresses  were  presented  to  the  King,  and  among 
them  one  from  the  "United  Brethren  in  England,  in 
union  with  the  ancient  Protestant  Episcopal  Bohe- 
mian and  Moravian  church."  a  designation  se- 
lected after  long  and  careful  discussion  as  to  a  true 
term  which  would  avoid  placing  them  among  the 
Dissenters  from  the  Church  of  England. 

When  the  Moravians  took  over  the  Yorkshire  So- 


198  THE  MORAVIANS  IN  GEORGIA. 

cictics  in  1/42  they  established  headquarters  at 
Smith  House,  near  Halifax,  but  this  not  proving 
permanently  available,  Ingham,  in  1/44,  bought  an 
estate  near  Pudscy,  where  the  Moravians  planted  a 
settlement  which  they  called  "Lamb's  Hill,''  later 
"Fulneck."  In  1746  and  1/49  Ing-ham  presented  to 
the  Moravians  the  ground  on  which  the  Chapel  and 
two  other  houses  stood,  but  for  the  rest  they  paid 
h'm  an  annual  rent.  The  property  is  now  held  of 
Ingham's  dependents  on  a  lease  for  live  hundred 
years. 

In  1/53  Ingham  withdrew  from  his  close  associa- 
tion with  the  Moravians,  and  established  a  new  circle 
of  societies,  himself  ordaining  the  ministers  who 
served  them.  These  societies  llourished  for  a  while, 
but  about  i"5(j  Ingham  became  imbued  with  the  doc- 
trines of  a  certain  Sandeman,  and  the  result  was  the 
almost  total  wrecking  of  his  societies.  Tin's  broke 
Ingham's  heart,  and  affected  his  mind,  so  that  his 
last  days  were  verv  sad.  He  passed  away  in  1772, 
and  his  societies  gradually  merged  themselves  into 
other  churches. 

John  Toltschig,  Ingham's  friend  in  Georgia  and 
his  co-laborer  in  Yorkshire,  came  to  England  in  No- 
vember, 1730,  in  company  with  Ilutton,  who  had 
been  to  Germany  to  form  a  closer  acquaintance  with 
the  Moravians.  After  the  debt  to  the  Trustees  was 
paid.  Toltschig  had  eagerly  planned  new  things  for 
Georgia, — extension  of  work  among  the  Indians,  a 
settlement  further  up  the  Savannah  River,  the 
strengthening  of  the  Savannah  Congregation,  from 
which  missionaries  could  be  drawn  and  by  which 
they  should  be  supported  while  laboring  among  the 


DISINTEGRATION.  199 

heathen  tribes.  He  offered  to  return  to  America  at 
once,  ready  for  any  duty,  but  requesting  that  he 
might  not  be  sole  financial  manager  again,  as  he  had 
found  it  most  difficult  to  attend  to  those  duties,  and 
at  the  same  time  share  in  the  spiritual  work. 

The  elders  of  the  Church,  after  carefully  weighing 
all  the  circumstances,  decided  not  to  send  him  back 
to  Georgia,  but  that  he  should  go  to  England,  to 
labor  in  the  Fetter  Lane  Society,  and  among  its 
friends. 

The  first  step  was  a  visit  to  Ingham  in  Yorkshire, 
and  the  reception  given  him  was  so  cordial  and  the 
field  so  promising  that  he  went  again,  and  yet  again. 
Bohler  and  Spangenberg  returned  to  England  and 
traveled  hither  and  thither  in  response  to  the  calls 
that  came  from  every  side,  other  members  aided  as 
they  could,  and  the  societies  under  their  direction 
grew  apace.  Fetter  Lane  Society  was  organized  in- 
to a  congregation  in  November,  1742,  and  the  others 
followed  in  due  time.  The  Moravian  Church  was 
introduced  into  Ireland,  and  took  a  firm  hold  there. 
In  England  its  successes  were  paralleled  with  much 
opposition,  and  in  1749,  after  several  years  of  prep- 
aration, an  appeal  was  made  to  Parliament  for 
recognition  as  a  Protestant  Episcopal  Church,  with 
full  liberty  of  conscience  and  worship  throughout 
Great  Britain  and  her  colonies.  General  Oglethorpe 
warmly  championed  their  cause,  and  after  a  thor- 
ough investigation  of  Moravian  history  and  doctrine, 
the  bill  was  passed.  May  I2th.  1749,  and  the  Mora- 
vian right  to  liberty  of  worship,  freedom  from  mili- 
tary service,  and  exemption  from  oath-taking  was 
unreservedlv  granted. 


2OO  TlIK    MORAVIANS    IX    GlvORGIA. 

While  not  involved  in  these  Parliamentary  pro- 
ceedings, Toltschig  played  an  important  part  in  the 
development  of  the  Moravian  Church  in  England  and 
Ireland.  Although  he  had  great  success  as  a  preach- 
er, his  especial  talents  were  as  an  organizer,  and  as 
leader  of  the  "hands,"'  as  might  be  expected  of  a  man 
with  a  judicial  mind,  executive  ability,  and  great 
tact.  He  was  Elder  of  the  "Pilgrim  Congregation" 
formed  at  Fetter  I.ane  in  May.  1/42.  a  congregation 
composed  exclusively  of  "laborers"'  in  the  Lord's 
vineyard,  and  he  was  also  one  of  the  committee 
charged  with  the  oversight  of  the  general  work. 

In  February,  1/4^.  he  went  to  Ireland,  as  superin- 
tendent of  the  societies  there,  some  of  which  had  been 
organized  by  Wesley,  but  now  wished  to  unite  with 
the  Moravians.  In  1752  he  conducted  a  company 
of  colonists  to  Pennsylvania,  but  the  next  year  went 
back  to  Ireland,  where  certain  troubles  had  arisen 
which  he  could  quiet  better  than  any  one  else. 

After  Zinzendorf's  death  in  1760,  Toltschig  was 
one  of  that  company  of  leading  men  who  met  in 
Herrnhut  to  provide  for  the  immediate  needs  of  the 
Moravian  Church,  whose  enemies  prophesied  disin- 
tegration upon  the  death  of  the  man  who  had  been 
at  its  head  for  more  than  thirtv  years.  These  pre- 
dictions failed  of  fulfillment,  and  "it  was  demon- 
strated that  the  I  ,ord  had  further  employment  for 
the  I'nitas  Fratrum." 

Less  renowned  than  many  of  his  confreres,  Tolt- 
schig was  a  type  of  that  class  of  Moravians  who  car- 
ried their  Church  through  slight  and  blight  into  the 
respect  and  good-will  of  the  world.  Industrious 
and  scrupulously  exact  in  business  affairs,  courteous 


DISINTEGRATION.  201 

and  considerate  in  his  dealings  with  others,  firm  and 
fearless  in  matters  of  conscience,  bold  to  declare  his 
faith,  and  witness  for  his  Master,  energetic  and  "con- 
servatively progressive"  in  promoting  the  growth 
of  his  church,  he  took  little  part  in  the  controversies 
of  his  day,  but  devoted  himself  unreservedly  to 
preaching  the  Gospel  as  it  was  read  by  John  Hus,  by 
the  founders  of  the  ancient  Unitas  Fratrum,  by  the 
renewers  of  that  Church  in  Herrnhut,  ''Salvation  by 
faith  in  Christ  and  real  Christian  living  according  to 
the  precepts  of  the  Bible." 


K  XKGRO  MISSION. 

John  Toltschig  had  been  the  diarist  of  the  Mora- 
vian Congregation  in  Savannah,  as  well  as  their 
treasurer  and  most  able  member,  and  after  he  left 
very  little  record  was  kept  of  the  daily  occurrences. 
A  few  stray  letters  have  been  preserved,  but  little  of 
interest  appears  therein,  beyond  the  facts  that  the 
summer  of  1738  was  hot  and  dry,  and  that  the  Mora- 
vians were  not  molested,  although  always  conscious 
of  the  under-current  of  antagonism. 

Some  time  during  these  months  Matthias  Seybold 
left  for  Pennsylvania,  where  he  married,  and  was 
one  of  the  company  that  established  the  settlement  at 
Bethlehem.  He  returned  to  Europe  in  1/42,  and 
died  at  Herrnhut  in  1/87. 

In  May,  the  Rev.  George  Whitefield  reached  Geor- 
gia. "authorized  to  perform  all  religious  offices  as 
Deacon  of  the  Church  of  England,  in  Savannah  and 
Frcderica,"  in  the  place  of  John  Wesley.  The  pov- 
orty  of  the  people  touched  him  deeply,  he  distributed 
to  the  most  needv  such  sums  as  he  had  brought  for 


202  TJIK  MORAVIANS  IN  GEORGIA. 

their  relief,  and  with  James  Habersham,  who  had 
come  over  at  the  same  time,  he  agreed  upon  the  erec- 
tion of  an  Orphan  House.  Whitefield  visited  Eben- 
ezer,  and  acquainted  himself  with  conditions  there 
and  elsewhere,  and  then  returned  to  England,  in 
August,  to  raise  funds  for  his  Orphan  House,  Hab- 
ersham meanwhile  beginning  to  collect  and  instruct 
the  most  neglected  children. 

During  his  stay  in  Georgia,  Whitefield  lodged  with 
Charles  Delamotte,  who  was  still  carrying  on  the 
little  school.  During  the  winter  Delamotte  had 
boarded  for  a  while  with  the  Moravians,  and  when 
he  returned  to  England  in  the  autumn,  he  at  once  as- 
sociated himself  with  the  English  members.  Tycr- 
man  in  his  "Life  and  Times  of  John  Wesley,"  says, 
"On  his  return  to  England,  Charles  Delamotte  be- 
came a  Moravian,  settled  at  Barrow-upon-ITumber, 
where  he  spent  a  long  life  of  piety  and  peace,  and 
died  in  1/90." 

On  the  if>lh  of  October,  Peter  F>ohler  and  George 
Schulius  arrived  in  Savannah,  accompanied  by  the 
lad,  Simon  Peter  Harper.  They  came  as  mission- 
aries to  the  negroes  of  Carolina,  the  hearts  of  various 
philanthropic  Englishmen  having  been  touched  by 
reports  of  the  condition  of  these  half  wild  savages 
recei  lly  imported  from  the  shores  of  Africa  to  till 
the  fields  of  the  New  World. 

The  plan  originated  during  Count  Zinzendorf's 
visit  to  London,  in  February,  1/37,  when  it  wras  sug- 
gested to  him  that  such  a  mission  should  be  begun 
by  two  Moravian  men.  under  the  auspices  of  "the  as- 
sociates of  the  late  Dr.  T'rav." 


DISINTEGRATION.  203 

Thomas  Bray,  an  English  divine,  was  born  in 
1656,  made  several  missionary  trips  to  America,  and 
in  1697  organized  a  society  for  the  propagation  of 
the  Gospel  in  the  English  Colonies.  He  died  in 
1/30,  but  the  work  was  continued  by  his  ''asso- 
ciates," many  of  whom  were  also  interested  in  the 
Georgia  Colony. 

As  this  mission  was  to  be  under  their  direction, 
"the  associates  of  the  late  Dr.  Bray"  wished  to  be 
very  sure  that  the  doctrine  and  rules  of  the  Unitas 
Fratrum  did  not  conflict  with  the  Church  of  Eng- 
land, but  being  assured  by  the  Archbishop  of  Can- 
terbury that  he  considered  them  as  agreeing  in  all  es- 
sential points,  they  closed  an  agreement  with  Zin- 
zendorf  whereby  the  Count  received  £30 :  with  which 
to  prepare  "two  Brethren  to  reside  for  the  instruc- 
tion of  the  Negroes  at  such  place  in  Carolina  as  the 
said  associates  shall  direct."  The  missionaries, 
when  they  had  entered  upon  their  work,  were  to 
receive  a  salary,  "not  exceeding  thirty  pounds  a 
year,"  from  the  "associates." 

For  this  missionary  enterprise,  so  much  to  his  lik- 
ing. Zinzendorf  appointed  "one  of  rny  chaplains, 
master  Bohler,"  and  "Schulius,  a  Moravian  brother," 
who  with  Richter  and  Wenzel  Neisser  arrived  in 
London,  February  iSth,  1738.  At  the  house  of  their 
friend  YYynantz.  the  Dutch  merchant,  they  met  John 
Wesley,  who  offered  to  secure  them  a  pleasant,  inex- 
pensive lodging  near  James  Hutton's,  where  he  was 
staying. 

Peter  Bohler  had  been  a  student  at  Jena  when 
Spangenberg  was  lecturing  there,  and  was  himself  a 
Drofessor  at  that  seat  of  learning  when  he  decided  to 


2O4  THE  MORAVIANS  ix  GEORGIA. 

accept  Zinzendorf's  call  to  mission  work,  and  join  the 
Moravians,  with  whom  he  had  been  for  a  long  time 
in  sympathy.  Like  Spangenberg  he  was  a  highly 
educated  man,  and  an  able  leader,  fitted  to  play  an 
important  part  in  the  Church  of  his  adoption,  in 
December,  1737,  he  was  ordained  at  Herrnhnt  by 
the  bishops,  David  Xitschmann  and  Count  Zinzen- 
dorf, and  in  later  years  he,  loo,  became  a  bishop  of 
the  I  "nity. 

On  the  22nd  of  February,  Bohlcr  and  his  compan- 
ions called  on  Gen.  Oglethorpe,  who  at  first  supposed 
th.ey  were  simplv  going  over  to  join  the  Savannah 
congregation.  Bolder  explained  that  Richter,  who 
spoke  French  as  well  as  German,  had  come  as  the 
Agent  of  the  Moravians,  in  accordance  with  the  sug- 
gestion made  by  the  Trustees  to  Bishop  Nitschmann 
in  1736;  that  Wenzel  Xeisscr  was  going  on  an  offi- 
cial visitation  to  America,  especially  to  the  West 
Indies  ;  and  that  he  and  Schulius  were  the  mission- 
aries promised  by  Count  Zinzendorf  for  work-  among 
the  negroes  in  Carolina.  The  General  courteously 
invited  them  to  confer  with  him  further,  either  by 
letter  or  in  person,  and  offered  to  take  them  with 
him,  as  he  expected  shortly  to  sail  for  Georgia  with 
his  regiment. 

"Later,  when  thev  wished  to  come  to  a  definite 
agreement  with  ( )glethorpe,  who  represented  the 
"associates  of  Dr.  llray,"  thcv  experienced  some 
difficulty,  owing  to  the  fact  that  a  letter  of  introduc- 
tion Oglethorpe  rxpected  to  receive  from  Count 
Zinzendorf  had  failed  to  arrive,  but  the  exhibition  of 
their  passports,  and  kichter's  explanation  that  Zin- 
zondorf  thought  i  from  newspaper  notices)  that 


DISINTEGRATION.  205 

Oglethorpe  had  already  left  England,  enabled  Boh- 
ler  and  Schulius  to  establish  their  identity.  So  soon 
as  Zinzcndorf  heard  that  his  word  was  needed,  he 
sent  them  a  formal  letter  of  introducton  to  Ogle- 
thorpe, which  was  gladly  received  as  corroboration 
of  their  statements.  The  Moravians  were  at  their 
own  expense  while  waiting  in  London,  but  Ogle- 
thorpe promised  that  they  should  be  provided  with 
Bibles,  grammars,  and  other  things  they  might  need 
ixr  the  negro  school. 

Being  detained  in  London  for  three  months,  in- 
stead of  three  weeks  as  they  expected,  Bohler  and 
his  friend  had  ample  opportunity  to  make  acquaint- 
ances in  the  metropolis.  They  sent  word  of  their  ar- 
rival to  those  Germans  who  had  learned  to  know 
Zinzendorf  and  the  earlier  Moravian  emigrants  to 
Georgia,  and  on  the  first  Sunday  "the  brethren,"  (as 
they  affectionately  called  all  who,  like  themselves, 
were  interested  in  living  a  Christian  life,)  came  to 
them,  and  a  series  of  meetings  for  prayer,  confer- 
ence, and  instruction  was  begun.  Bohler  was  a 
man  of  attractive  personality,  and  convincing  ear- 
nestness, and  in  spite  of  his  slight  knowledge  of  their 
language  many  English  also  became  interested  and 
formed  a  society  similar  to  that  begun  by  Zinzen- 
dorf,  the  two  soon  uniting  in  the  Fetter  Lane  So- 
ciety. 

Ten  days  after  Bohler  reached  London  he  accepted 
an  invitation  from  the  two  Wesleys,  and  went  with 
them  to  Oxford.  There  he  was  most  kindly  receiv- 
ed, preached  in  Latin  once  or  twice  each  day,  and 
had  many  private  conversations  with  inquirers. 


2o6  Tim  MORAVIANS  IN  GEORGIA. 

Among  those  with  whom  he  became  acquainted  was 
the  Rev.  John  Gambolcl,  who  later  became  a  bishop 
in  the  [Moravian  Church,  and  many  others  were 
mightily  stirred  to  seek  the  salvation  of  their  souls. 

Noting  how  little  English  P>ohler  and  Schulius 
knew.  Gen.  Oglethorpe  offered  them  a  boy  who  was 
bright  and  intelligent,  could  speak  both  English  and 
German,  and  understood  some  French,  and  they 
found  him  so  serviceable  that  they  asked  and  obtain- 
ed permission  to  take  him  with  them  to  Carolina. 

Through  AYesley,  .Px">hler  heard  that  Gen.  Ogle- 
thorpe was  much  surprised  at  the  speed  with  which 
he  acquired  English,  and  that  lie  had  asked  whether 
T'dhler  would  consent  to  serve  as  Minister  of  the 
Church  of  England  in  Savannah,  if  that  Congrega- 
tion remained  without  a  pastor.  [>ohler  expressed 
his  willingness  to  preach  at  auv  time,  but  declined  to 
administer  the  Sacraments  for  anv  denomination  ex- 
cept his  own,  so  the  appointment  was  not  made. 

On  the  28th  of  April,  the  baggage  of  the  Mission- 
aries \\as  put  aboard  the  Union  (i  alley.  Capt.  Mober- 
lev.  with  instructions  that  Holder  and  his  compan- 
ions should  join  her  at  Portsmouth.  Xeisser  was 
to  go  with  them  to  Georgia,  and  from  there,  as  op- 
portunity offered,  to  St.  Thomas,  but  while  the  ship 
lay  at  Portsmouth  oilier  instructions  reached  him. 
and  Oglethorpe  kindly  made  no  objection  to  his 
withdrawing  his  box  and  staying  behind,  though  he 
(I'd  not  quite  understand  it. 

On  the  1 5th  of  May.  Peter  P-dhler.  George 
Schulius.  and  the  lad  Simon  Peter  Harper,  left  Lon- 
don, but  finding  the  ship  not  yet  ready  to  sail,  thev, 


DISINTEGRATION.  207 

by  Oglethorpe's  instructions,  went  to  Southampton 
where  some  of  the  vessels  were  lying. 

Returning  to  Portsmouth  they  embarked  on  May 
22nd,  and  soon  found  they  were  "to  dwell  in  Sodom 
and  Gomorrah"  during  their  voyage.  On  the  3Oth 
the  fleet  sailed  to  Southampton  for  the  soldiers,  and 
when  they  came  aboard  four  days  later  "Sodom  and 
Gomorrah  were  fully  reproduced.''  As  the  ships  lay 
oft  Spithead  a  conspiracy  was  discovered, — the  sol- 
diers on  one  vessel  had  planned  to  kill  their  officers, 
take  what  money  they  could  find,  and  escape  to 
France.  During  the  voyage  there  w*ere  several 
fights  among  the  soldiers,  or  between  them  and  the 
sailors,  and  in  one  drunken  riot  a  soldier  cut  off  a 
young  girl's  hand.  ''The  Lord  was  our  defense  and 
shield,  and  we  were  among  them  like  Daniel  in  the 
midst  of  the  lions,"  wrote  Bohler,  for  the  quiet, 
Bible-reading  Moravians  found  little  to  like  in  their 
rough  associates,  who  cared  for  them  just  as  little, 
and  wished  they  could  be  thrown  overboard. 

The  ships  put  to  sea  July  i6th  and  reached  the 
Madeiras  on  the  29th.  where  they  were  detained  un- 
til the  8th  of  August.  Bohler  and  Schulius  went  on 
shore  a  number  of  times,  were  courteously  treated  by 
the  most  prominent  Catholic  priest  there,  climbed  a 
mountain  for  the  exercise,  and  particularly  enjoyed 
their  escape  from  turmoil  and  confusion.  The  cap- 
tain, who  had  taken  a  dislike  to  them,  tried  to  pre- 
vent their  leaving  the  ship,  but  OgJethorpe  stood 
their  friend,  and  ordered  that  they  should  have  entire 
liberty.  For  Bohler,  as  for  many  who  had  preceded 
him.  Georgia  and  Carolina  were  to  be  a  school  where 
great  life  lessons  would  be  learned.  Fresh  from  the 


208  THE  MORAVIANS  ix  GEORGIA. 

University  halls  of  Jena,  he  had  met  the  students  of 
Oxford  on  equal  looting,  quickly  winning  their  re- 
spect and  admiration,  but  these  soldiers  and  sailors, 
restless,  eager  for  excitement,  rude  and  unlettered, 
were  a  new  thing  to  him,  a  book  written  in  a  lan- 
guage to  which  he  had  no  key.  Later  he  would 
learn  to  find  some  point  of  contact  with  the  unlearn- 
ed as  well  as  the  learned,  with  the  negro  slave  and 
the  Yorkshire  collier  as  well  as  the  student  of  theo- 
logy, but  just  now  his  impulse  was  to  hold  himself 
aloof  and  let  their  wild  spirits  dash  against  him  like 
waves  about  the  base  of  a  lighthouse  which  sends  a 
clear,  strong  beam  across  the  deep,  but  has  few  ra\s 
for  the  tossing  billows  just  beneath. 

On  the  1 8th  of  September  land  was  sighted,  and 
on  the  29th  the  fleet  anchored  in  the  harbor  of  St. 
Simon's  Island,  and  with  grateful  hearts  the  Mora- 
vians watched  the  landing  of  the  soldiers.  On  the 
4th  of  October  they  transferred  their  baggage  to  a 
sloop  bound  for  Savannah,  which  sailed  the  6th,  but 
on  account  of  head  winds  did  not  reach  Savannah 
until  the  i6th.  The  Moravians  still  at  Savannah 
came  in  a  boat  to  welcome  them,  and  take  them  to 
their  house,  but  P>dhler  was  anxious  to  see  the  scene 
of  his  future  labors,  and  stayed  in  town  only  a  few 
days,  leaving  on  the  2\  st  for  a  tour  through  Carolina. 
Schuliu^  accompanied  him  all  the  way,  and  several 
others  as  far  ;i<=  the  Indian  town  where  Rose  was  liv- 
ing with  his  wife  and  child.  Here  they  talked  of 
many  things  regarding  the  Savannah  Congregation, 
but  on  the  following  afternoon  the  missionaries  went 
on  their  way,  Zeisbergcr,  TTaberland,  "Rnhncr  and 
Regnier  accompanying  them  to  Purisburg. 


DISINTEGRATION.  209 

There  Bohler  and  Schulius  lodged  with  one  of  the 
S\viss  who  had  come  to  Georgia  with  Spangenberg 
and  the  first  company.  His  wife  expressed  the  wish 
that  the  Moravians  in  Savannah  would  take  her  thir- 
teen-year-old daughter  the  following  winter,  and 
give  her  instruction,  for  which  she  would  gladly 
pay.  Bohler  took  occasion  to  speak  to  the  couple 
about  salvation  and  the  Saviour,  and  they  appeared 
to  be  moved.  Indeed  this  was  the  main  theme  of  all 
his  conversations.  To  the  owners  of  the  plantations 
visited,  he  spoke  of  their  personal  needs,  and  their 
responsibility  for  the  souls  of  their  slaves ;  while  to 
the  slaves  he  tola  the  love  of  God,  filling  them  with 
wonder,  for  most  of  them  were  newly  imported  from 
the  wilds  of  Africa,  and  suspicious  even  of  kindness, 
many  knew  little  of  the  English  tongue,  and  the  few 
who  could  understand  his  words  had  not  yet  learned 
that  there  was  a  God  who  cared  how  they  lived  or 
what  became  of  them.  Their  masters,  as  a  rule, 
thought  the  missionaries  were  attempting  an  almost 
hopeless  task  in  trying  to  lift  these  negroes  above  the 
brute  creation,  but  were  quite  willing  to  give  permis- 
sion and  an  opportunity  to  reach  them,  and  on  this 
tour  Bohler  found  only  one  land-owner  who  refused 
his  consent. 

Purisburg  had  been  named  as  the  location  of  the 
negro  school,  but  Bohler  found  there  were  very  few 
negroes  in  the  town,  which  had  been  largely  settled 
by  Swiss,  who  had  not  prospered  greatly  and  had 
bought  few  slaves.  The  nearest  plantation  employ- 
ing negroes  was  five  miles  distant,  and  only  seven 
lived  there,  so  the  outlook  was  far  from  encouraging 
at  that  point. 


2io  Tine  MORAVIANS  IN  GEORGIA. 

Llohlcr  and  Schulius  then  made  their  way  from  one 
plantation  to  another,  until  they  reached  Charles- 
town.  The  Rev.  'Mr.  Garden,  to  whom  they  had  a 
letter  of  introduction,  advised  that  the  school  should 
be  begun  in  Charlestown,  where  there  was  a  large 
negro  population,  perhaps  a  thousand  souls.  This 
was  more  than  could  be  found  on  any  single  planta- 
tion in  Carolina,  and  as  the  slaves  were  strictly  for- 
bidden to  go  from  one  plantation  to  another  it  would 
hardly  be  possible  to  find  another  place  where  so 
many  could  be  reached  at  the  same  time.  .Holder  and 
Schulius  were  much  impressed  with  the  advantages 
offered,  especially  as  Mr.  Garden  promised  all  the  as- 
sistance he  could  give,  and  they  debated  whether 
Schulius  should  not  stay  and  begin  at  once,  while 
Bohler  returned  to  report  to  Oglethorpe.  The  lot 
was  finall\-  tried,  and  the  direction  received  that  they 
should  carcfullv  study  the  situation  but  wait  until 
later  to  commence  work.  Therefore  on  the  i  st  of 
November  the  two  companions  set  out  for  Savannah, 
which  they  reached  in  eight  days. 

The  following  weeks  were  a  sore  trial  for  the  mis- 
sionaries. 'With  a  promising  field  in  sight,  and  eager 
to  commence  work  in  it.  they  were  obliged  to  wait  for 
Oglethorpe's  permission,  and  Oglethorpe  was  very 
busv  on  the  frontier  establishing  the  outposts  for 
\\hich  his  regiment  had  been  brought  over.  When 
he  did  return  t<>  Savannah,  it  was  only  fur  a  few 
hours,  and  he  was  in  no  frame  of  mind  for  a  long  ar- 
gument of  pros  and  cons.  He  told  P.ohler  rather 
testily  that  they  should  not  go  to  Charlestown  with 
his  consent:  that  if  they  were  not  willing  to  follow 
the  plan  for  Purisburg  he  would  have  nothing  more 


DISINTEGRATION.  211 

to  do  with  them  ;  and  that  if  they  wanted  to  talk 
further  they  must  wait  till  he  came  again. 

Bonier  and  Sclmlius  wished  themselves  free  to 
proceed  without  his  consent,  wished  they  had  not  en- 
tered into  an  agreement  with  "the  associates  of  the 
late  Dr.  Bray,"  but  under  the  circumstances  felt 
themselves  bound  to  give  the  work  at  Purisburg  a 
fair  trial.  In  December,  Schulius  went  to  Purisburg 
to  look  over  the  field,  and  make  acquaintance  with 
the  people,  while  Bohler  waited  at  Savannah  for 
Oglethorpe,  and  finally,  when  his  patience  was  quite 
exhausted,  followed  the  General  to  St.  Simons.  Ogle- 
thorpe persisted  in  his  intention  to  have  the  school  at 
Purisburg.  and  when  he  learned  that  his  wishes 
would  be  obeyed  he  gave  instructions  for  the  renting 
of  a  large  house  and  two  acres. of  ground,  and  for 
supplies  to  be  furnished  from  the  store  at  Savannah. 

In  February,  1739,  therefore,  Bohler  and  Schulius 
settled  in  Purisburg.  Young  Harper  seems  to  have 
been  with  them  in  Purisburg  on  some  of  their  earlier 
visits,  but  was  sent  temporarily  to  Savannah,  and  as 
he  does  not  reappear  in  the  records,  he  probablv  went 
back  to  his  English  home.  David  Zeisberger,  Jr., 
joined  Bohler  and  was  his  willing  helper  in  many 
ways. 

At  first  the  outlook  was  rather  more  promising 
than  the}-  expected.  There  were  very  few  colored 
children  for  the  school,  but  ''daily  more  were  bought 
and  born,"  there  was  some  interest  aroused  among 
the  older  negroes,  and  the  owners  were  disposed  to 
be  friendly,  and  allow  the  missionaries  free  access  to 
their  slaves.  The  German  and  Swiss  settlers  were 
unaffectedlv  glad  to  have  the  Moravians  in  their 


212  Tnic  MORAVIANS  IN  GEORGIA. 

midst,  and  begged  for  religious  services,  and  instruc- 
tion for  their  children,  so  Uohler  and  Sclmlius 
agreed  on  a  division  of  labor,  the  latter  to  devote 
himself  to  the  white  residents  and  their  little  ones, 
while  J  Johler  spent  most  of  his  time  visiting  adjoin- 
ing plantations. 

Uut  when  the  warm  weather  came  Uohler  was 
taken  with  fever,  and  from  June  to  October  he  suf- 
fered severely.  From  time  to  time  he  was  able  to 
be  up,  and  even  to  visit  Savannah,  but  he  was  so 
weak  and  his  feet  were  so  badly  swollen  that  walking 
was  very  difficult,  and  of  course  missionary  tours 
were  impossible. 

On  the  4th  of  August,  George  Sclmlius  died,  after 
an  illness  of  eighteen  days'  duration.  Uohler  was  in 
Savannah  when  he  was  taken  sick,  but  returned  in 
time  to  nurse  him,  to  soothe  him  in  delirium,  and  to 
lay  him  to  rest  amid  the  lamentations  of  the  Puns- 
burg  residents.  At  his  death  the  school  for  white 
children  was  given  up.  for  Uohler  was  too  weak  to 
shoulder  the  additional  load,  anil  felt  that  bis  first 
duty  was  to  the  negroes.  In  September.  Oglethorpe 
was  m  Savannah,  and  after  much  difiicultv  Uohler 
obtained  speech  with  him,  and  succeeded  in  convinc- 
ing him  that  a  negro  school  at  Puri.^burg  was  hope- 
less, lie  approved  of  Uohler's  plan  to  itinerate 
among  the  plantations  and  promised  that  both  his 
own  and  Schulius'  salaries  should  be  paid  him,  that 
he  might  be  supplied  for  traveling  expenses.  In  No- 
vember, when  his  health  was  restored,  Uohler  wished 
to  mnke  bis  first  journey,  but  the  storekeeper  declin- 
ed to  pay  him  anv  monev  until  the  expiration  of  the 
quarter  year.  "When  lie  went  aga;n  at  the  appointed 


DISINTEGRATION.  213 

time  the  storekeeper  refused  to  pay  anything  without 
a  new  order  from  Oglethorpe,  except  the  remainder 
of  the  first  year's  salary,  now  long  overdue.  Bohler 
concluded  that  the  man  had  received  private  instruc- 
tions from  Oglethorpe,  and  that  his  services  were  no 
longer  desired  by  the  representative  of  "the  asso- 
ciates," so  in  January,  1740,  he  gave  up  further 
thought  of  obligation  to  them,  and  prepared  to  go  on 
his  own  account.  He  planned  to  go  by  boat  to 
Purisburg  and  from  there  on  foot  through  Carolina 
to  Charlestown,  but  on  the  way  up  the  Savannah 
River  the  canoe  was  overtaken  by  a  severe  thunder 
storm,  and  forced  to  land.  Knowing  that  a  sloop 
would  sail  in  two  days  he  returned  to  Savannah, 
meaning  to  go  to  Charlestown  on  her,  but  on  trying 
the  lot  he  received  direction  to  wait  for  the  present 
in  Savannah. 

While  Bohler  was  making  his  attempt  among  the 
negroes,  some  changes  were  taking  place  in  the  Sa- 
vannah Congregation.  He  had  been  very  much  dis- 
tressed by  the  condition  he  found  when  he  arrived, 
for  owing  partly  to  their  many  difficulties  and  partly 
to  Seifert's  absence  among  the  Indians,  no  Commun- 
ion had  been  celebrated  for  a  year,  and  the  "bands" 
had  been  dropped.  The  Bible  and  prayer  gatherings 
were  steadily  observed,  but  it  seemed  to  him  there 
was  a  lack  of  harmony  among  the  members,  and  they 
were  by  no  means  ready  to  take  him  at  once  into  their 
confidence.  Seifert,  too,  was  not  well,  and  had  been 
obliged  to  leave  the  Indians,  and  return  to  Savannah. 

The  Indian  work  was  most  discouraging,  for  the 
men  were  careless  and  drunken,  and  in  January, 


214  'I'111''  MORAVIANS  IN  GEORGIA. 

1739,  even  Rose  gave  up,  and  moved  back  to  Savan- 
nah with  his  family.  In  October,  Tomochichi  died, 
and  was  buried  with  great  pomp  in  Percival  Square 
in  Savannah.  The  Moravians  were  asked  to  fur- 
nish music  at  the  funeral,  but  declined,  and  it  was 
hardly  missed  amid  the  firing  of  minute  guns,  and 
three  volleys  over  his  grave.  After  his  death  his  lit- 
tle village  was  abandoned,  and  the  question  of  furth- 
er missionary  efforts  there  settled  itself. 

During  the  winter  John  Regnier  became  deeply  in- 
censed at  some  plain  speaking  from  Schulius,  and 
decided  to  leave  at  once  for  Europe,  the  Congrega- 
tion paying  his  way.  He  probably  went  to  Ilerrn- 
hut,  as  that  had  been  his  intention  some  months  pre- 
viously, and  later  he  served  as  a  missionary  in  Suri- 
nam. In  after  years  he  returned  to  Pennsylvania, 
where  he  joined  those  who  were  inimical  to  the 
Moravians. 

Peter  Rose,  his  wife  and  daughter  left  for  Penn- 
sylvania soon  after  their  withdrawal  from  Irene. 
They  settled  in  Germantown,  and  there  Peter  died 
March  I2th,  1740.  Catherine  married  John  Michael 
Huber  in  1742,  who  died  five  years  later  on  a  voyage 
to  the  West  Indies.  Heing  for  the  third  time  a 
widow,  she  became  one  of  the  first  occupants  of  the 
Widows'  House  in  Bethlehem,  and  served  as  a  Dea- 
coness for  many  years,  riving  in  1798.  Mary  Mag- 
dalena  became  the  wife  of  Rev.  Paul  Peter  Hadcr  in 

i/r>3- 

On  August  loth,  1739,  John  Michael  Schober  died 
after  a  brief  illness,  the  ninth  of  the  Moravian  colo- 
nists to  find  their  final  resting  place  beside  the  Sa- 
vannah River. 


DISINTEGRATION.  215 

In  September,  General  Oglethorpc  received  in- 
structions to  make  reprisals  on  the  Spanish  for  their 
depreciations  on  the  southern  borders  of  the  Georgia 
Province.  He  rightly  judged  this  to  be  the  pre- 
cursor of  open  hostilities,  and  hastened  his  prepara- 
tions to  put  Carolina  and  Georgia  in  a  state  of  de- 
fense. In  October  the  British  Government  declared 
war  on  Spain,  and  November  witnessed  the  begin- 
ning of  fighting  in  the  Colonies.  Of  course  this 
meant  a  re-opening  of  the  old  discussion  as  to  the 
Moravians'  liability  for  service,  a  repetition  of  the 
old  arguments,  and  a  renewal  of  the  popular  indigna- 
tion. Oglethorpe  was  fairly  considerate  of  them, 
thought  Zinzendorf  ought  to  have  provided  for  two 
men,  but  added  that  he  did  not  want  the  Moravians 
driven  away.  Still  the  situation  was  uncomfortable, 
and  the  Moravians  began  to  make  arrangements 
for  their  final  departure. 

By  this  time  Bohler  had  won  his  way  into  the  con- 
fidence of  the  Savannah  congregation,  and  had  learn- 
ed that  he  was  not  the  only  one  who  had  the  Lord's 
interests  at  heart.  With  Seifert  again  in  charge  of 
affairs,  the  religious  services  had  taken  on  new  life, 
and  on  October  iSth,  John  Martin  Mack  was  con- 
firmed. Judith  Toltschig.  however,  gave  them  great 
concern,  and  her  brother  Michael  Haberland  sided 
with  her,  so  that  the  company  gladly  saw  them  sail 
for  Germany  in  the  latter  part  of  January,  1740. 
There  Michael  married,  and  returned  to  America  in 
May.  1749,  as  one  of  the  large  company  which  came 
to  settle  in  Bethlehem,  where  he  died  in  1/83. 
Judith  joined  her  husband  in  England,  and  in  1742 


2io  Tiiii  MORAVIANS  IN  GEORGIA. 

was  serving  as  "sick-waiter''  of  the  Pilgrim  Congre- 
gation in  London. 

This  left  only  six  Moravians  in  Savannah,  for 
John  Dormer  had  already  started  for  Pennsylvania 
on  January  2Oth.  He  had  a  very  sore  arm  which 
they  hoped  would  he  Benefited  by  the  change,  and  he 
was  commissioned  to  try  and  gather  together  the 
members  who  had  preceded  him.  and  to  make  ar- 
rangements for  the  reception  of  the  remnant  which 
was  soon  to  follow.  lie  aided  faithfully  during  the 
early  days  of  the  settlement  at  Xazarcth  and  Bethle- 
hem, and  in  1742  went  as  a  missionary  to  the  island 
of  St.  Thomas,  where  he  labored  earnestly  and  suc- 
cessfully for  the  rest  of  his  life,  and  died  in  1787. 

Nothing  now  remained  for  the  members  still  in 
Savannah,  but  to  so  arrange  matters  that  they  might 
leave  on  the  first  opportunity.  Oglethorpe  had  al- 
ready bought  their  trumpets  and  French  horns  at  a 
good  price,  but  they  needed  to  sell  their  rice  and 
household  furniture  to  provide  sufficient  funds  for 
their  journey.  This  was  happily  arranged  on  the  2(1  of 
February,  when  George  Whitefield,  who  had  reached 
Savannah  for  the  second  time  a  few  days  before, 
came  to  see  them,  promised  to  buy  all  they  cared  to 
sell,  and  offered  them  free  passage  to  Pennsylvania. 
This  offer  they  gratefully  accepted,  receiving  £37 
for  their  household  goods,  and  on  April  )3th,  1740, 
they  sailed  with  Whitefield  on  his  sloop  the  Sa:'au- 
uali,  Captain  Thomas  Gl adman.  Their  land  and  im- 
provements were  left  in  the  hands  of  an  Agent,  and 
the  town  house  was  rented  to  some  of  Whiten" eld's 
followers  for  a  hospital. 


DISINTEGRATION.  217 

With  the  Moravians  went  the  two  boys,  Benjamin 
Somers  and  James  .  . .  . ,  who  had  been  given  into 
their  hands  by  the  Savannah  magistrates  in  1735,  and 
a  young  woman,  Johanna  Hummel,  of  Purisburg. 
The  two  lads  gave  them  much  trouble  in  Pennsyl- 
vania, and  Benjamin  was  finally  bound  out  in  1748, 
while  James  ran  away.  Johanna  married  John  Boh- 
ner.  and  sailed  with  him  to  the  West  Indies  in  1742, 
but  died  at  sea  before  reaching  there. 

Bohler  and  his  company  expected  to  find  Span- 
genberg  and  Bishop  Nitschmann  in  Pennsylvania, 
and  were  much  disappointed  to  learn  that  both  were 
absent.  They  scarcely  knew  what  to  do,  but  Bohler 
held  them  together,  and  when  Whitefield  decided  to 
buy  a  large  tract  of  land  and  build  thereon  a  Xegro 
school,  and  a  town  for  his  English  friends  of  philan- 
thropic mind,  and  when  the  Moravians  were  offered 
the  task  of  erecting  the  first  house  there,  Bohler  and 
his  companions  gladly  accepted  the  work.  Bethle- 
hem followed  in  due  time,  and  all  were  among  those 
who  organized  that  congregation.  David  Zeisber- 
ger,  ST.,  died  there  in  1744,  his  wife  in  1746.  Anton 
Seifert  was  appointed  Elder,  or  Pastor  of  the  Bethle- 
hem Congregation,  married,  and  took  an  active  part 
in  the  Church  and  School  work  there  and  at  Naza- 
reth, the  latter  tract  having  been  purchased  from 
Whitefield  in  1741.  April  8th,  1745,  he  sailed  for 
Europe,  laboring  in  England,  Ireland  and  Holland, 
and  dying  at  Zeist  in  1785. 

John  Martin  Mack  became  one  of  the  leaders  of 
the  Moravian  Church  in  its  Mission  work  among  the 
Indians  in  Xew  York,  Connecticut  and  Ohio  until 
1760,  when  he  was  sent  to  the  negro  slaves  on  St. 


218  TDK  [MORAVIANS  IN  GEORGIA. 

Thomas,  preaching  also  on  St.  Croix  and  St.  Jan, 
and  the  English  West  Indies.  He  was  ordained  to 
the  ministry  November  I3th,  1742,  and  was  conse- 
crated bishop  October  iSth,  1770,  during  a  visit  to 
Pennsylvania,  this  being  the  first  Episcopal  consecra- 
tion in  the  American  Province  of  the  Moravian 
Church.  He  was  married  four  times,  his  last  wife 
passing  away  two  years  before  his  departure.  He 
died  June  yth,  1784,  and  was  buried  in  the  presence 
of  a  great  concourse  of  people, — negro  converts, 
planters,  government  officers  and  the  Governor- 
General. 

David  Zcisbergcr.  Jr,  lived  a  life  so  abundant  in 
labors,  so  picturesque  in  experiences  that  a  brief  out- 
line utterly  fails  to  give  any  conception  of  it.  "The 
apostle  of  the  Western  Indians  traversed  Massachu- 
setts and  Connecticut,  New  York,  Pennsylvania  and 
Ohio,  entered  Michigan  and  Canada,  preaching  to 
many  nations  in  many  tongues.  He  brought  the 
Gospel  to  the  Mohicans  and  Wampanoags,  to  the 
Nanticokcs  and  Shawanese,  to  the  Chippewas,  Otto- 
was  and  Wyandots,  to  the  Vnamis.  Unalachtgos  and 
Monseys  of  the  Delaware  race,  to  the  Onondagas, 
Cayugas  and  Senecas  of  the  Six  Nations.  Speaking 
the  Delaware  language  fluently,  as  well  as  the  Mo- 
hawk- and  Onondaga  dialects  of  the  Iroquois;  fami- 
liar with  the  Cayuga  and  other  tongues  ;  an  adopted 
sachem  of  the  Six  Nations:  naturalized  among  the 
Monseys  by  a  formal  act  of  the  tribe;  swaying  for  a 
number  of  years  the  Grand  Council  of  the  Dela- 
wares ;  at  one  time  Keeper  of  the  Archives  of 
the  Troqtiois  Confederacy :  versed  in  the  ctis- 


DISINTEGRATION.  219 

toms  of  the  aborigines;  adapting  himself  to  their 
mode  of  thought,  and,  by  long  habit,  a  native  in 
many  of  his  ways ; — no  Protestant  missionary  and 
few  men  of  any  other  calling,  ever  exercised  more 
real  influence  and  was  more  sincerely  honored  among 
the  Indians ;  and  no  one,  except  the  Catholic  evange- 
lists, with  whom  the  form  of  baptism  was  the  end 
of  their  work,  exceeded  him  in  the  frequency  and 
hardships  of  his  journeys  through  the  wilderness, 
the  numbers  whom  he  received  into  the  Church  of 
Christ,  and  brought  to  a  consistent  practice  of  Chris- 
tianity, and  conversion  of  characters  most  depraved, 
ferocious  and  desperate."  "Nor  must  we  look  upon 
Zeisberger  as  a  missionary  only;  he  was  one  of  the 
most  notable  pioneers  of  civilization  our  country  has 
ever  known.  Thirteen  villages  sprang  up 

at  his  bidding,  where  native  agents  prepared  the  way 
for  the  husbandman  and  the  mechanic  of  the  coming 
race."  'Tie  was  not  only  bold  in  God,  fearless  and 
full  of  courage,  but  also  lowly  of  heart,  meek  of 
spirit,  never  thinking  highly  of  himself.  Selfish- 
ness was  unknown  to  him.  His  heart  poured  out  a 
stream  of  love  to  his  fellowmen.  In  a  word,  his 
character  was  upright,  honest,  loving  and  noble,  as 
free  from  faults  as  can  be  expected  of  any  man  this 
side  of  the  grave.''* 

He  died  at  Goshen,  Ohio,  Nov.  i/th,  1808,  hav- 
ing labored  among  the  Indians  for  sixty  years. 

Like  Spangenberg,  Peter  Collier's  story  belongs 
to  the  whole  Moravian  Church,  rather  than  to  the 
Georgia  colonv.  His  time  was  divided  between 


*"Life  and   Times  of   David  Zeisberger,"  by  Rt.  Rev. 
Edmund  de  Schweinitz. 


220  TJIK  MORAVIANS  IN  GEORGIA. 

England  and  America  in  both  of  which  spheres  he 
labored  most  successfully.  Jan.  loth,  1748,  he  was 
consecrated  bishop  at  Marienborn,  Germany.  After 
Zinzendorf's  death  he  helped  frame  the  new  Church 
constitution,  and  in  1/69  was  elected  to  the  govern- 
ing board  of  the  entire  Unitas  Fratrum.  He  died 
in  London,  April  2Oth,  17/4,  having  been  there  for 
a  year  on  a  visitation  to  the  English  congregations 
of  the  Moravian  Church. 


CllAI'TKR    VII. 

CONCLUSION. 

LATKR    ATTEMPTS    IX    GICORGIA. 
1740. 

May  1 8th,  1/40,  John  Hag-en  arrived  in  Savan- 
nah. He  had  come  over  intending  to  go  as  mission- 
ary to  the  Cherokees,  and  his  disappointment  in 
finding  that  the  Moravians  had  abandoned  Georgia 
is  another  example  of  the  enormous  difficulty  under 
which  mission  work  was  conducted  in  those  days, 
when  the  most  momentous  events  might  transpire 
months  before  the  authorities  at  home  could  be  ap- 
prised of  them. 

Hagen  had  become  very  ill  on  the  way  from 
Charleston  to  Savannah,  and  with  none  of  his  own 
people  to  turn  to  he  bethought  himself  of  White- 
field's  offers  of  friendship,  and  went  to  his  house. 
He  was  kindly  received  by  those  who  were  living- 
there,  and  though  he  went  down  to  the  gates  of 
death  the  portals  did  not  open,  and  he  rapidly  re- 
gained his  health. 

Visiting  Irene  he  found  only  a  lew  Indian  wo- 
men, for  Tomochichi  was  dead,  and  the  men  were 
all  on  the  warpath.  The  opportunity  of  going  to 
the  Cherokees  seemed  verv  doubtful,  for  there  were 
none  living  nearer  than  three  hundred  miles,  and 
distances  looked  much  greater  in  the  Georgia  for- 


222 

ests  than  in  his  own  populous  Germany.  So  he  con- 
cluded to  accept  the  kind  offers  of  Whitefield's 
household,  and  stay  with  them,  making  himself  use- 
ful in  the  garden,  and  doing  such  religious  work  as 
he  was  able.  Several  Germans  living  in  the  town, 
who  had  learned  to  like  the  Moravians,  asked  him 
to  hold  services  for  them,  to  which  he  gladly  agreed. 

He  \vas  much  pleased  with  the  prospect  for  work 
in  Savannah,  where  the  people  had  been  greatly 
stirred  by  Whitefield's  preaching,  and  he  wrote  to 
Hcrrnhut  urging  that  two  married  couples  be  sent 
to  help  reap  the  harvest,  a  request  warmly  seconded 
by  Whitefield,  who  had  returned  to  Savannah  on 
June  lOth.  \\nitcfield  reported  the  Moravians 
busily  engaged  in  erecting  a  Xegro  school-house  for 
him  in  Pennsylvania,  and  told  llagen  he  would  like 
to  have  the  two  couples  come  to  assist  him  in  carry- 
ing out  his  large  plans  for  Georgia. 

But  by  the  i-jth  of  August  this  invitation  had  been 
withdrawn,  llagen  had  left  AYhitetield's  house,  and 
had  been  refused  work  on  Whitetield's  plantation, 
for  fear  that  he  might  contaminate  the  \Yhitelield 
converts.  The  trouble  arose  over  a  discussion  on 
Predestination, — not  the  first  or  last  time  this  has 
happened, — and  the  two  men  found  themselves 
utterl\-  at  variance,  for  \Yhitetield  held  the  extreme 
Calvinistic  view,  while  I  lagen  argued  that  all  men 
who  would  might  be  saved,  llagen  therefore  went 
to  the  home  of  John  llrowniiehl,  who  shared  his 
views,  and  made  him  very  welcome,  and  from  there 
carried  on  his  work  among  the  residents  of  Savan- 
nah and  1  'urisburg. 

Whitefield    returned    10    I  Vnnsvlvania    in    Xovem- 


CONCLUSION.  223 

ber,  1740,  nursing  his  wrath  against  Hagen,  and 
finding  Bohler  to  be  of  the  same  mind,  he  peremp- 
torily ordered  the  Moravians  to  leave  his  land. 
Neighbors  interfered,  and  cried  shame  on  him  for 
turning  the  little  company  adrift  in  the  depth  of 
winter,  and  he  finally  agreed  to  let  them  stay  for 
awhile  in  the  log  cabin  which  was  sheltering  them 
while  they  were  building  the  large  stone  house.  The 
opportune  arrival  of  Bishop  Nitschmann  and  his 
company,  and  the  purchase  of  the  Bethlehem  tract, 
soon  relieved  them  from  their  uncomfortable  posi- 
tion, and  later  the  Nazareth  tract  was  bought  from 
Whitefield,  and  the  work  they  had  begun  for  him 
was  completed  for  their  own  use. 

Whitefield,  in  after  years,  rather  excused  himself 
for  his  first  harshness  toward  the  Moravians,  but  a 
letter  written  by  him  to  a  friend  in  1742,  is  a  good 
statement  of  the  armed  truce  which  existed  among 
the  great  religious  leaders  of  that  day.  "Where  the 
spirit  of  God  is  in  any  great  degree,  there  will  be 
union  of  avail,  tho'  there  may  be  difference  in  senti- 
ments. This  I  have  learnt,  my  dear  Brother,  by 
happy  experience,  and  find  great  freedom  and  peace 
in  my  soul  thereby.  This  makes  me  love  the  Mora- 
vian Brethren  tho'  I  cannot  agree  with  them  in  many 
of  their  principles.  I  cannot  look  upon  them  as  will- 
ful deceivers,  but  as  persons  who  hazard  their  lives 
for  the  sake  of  the  Gospel.  Mr.  Wesley  is  as  cer- 
tainly wrong  in  some  things  as  they,  and  Mr.  Law 
as  wrong  also.  Yet  I  believe  both  Mr.  Law  and 
Mr.  Wesley  and  the  Count  Zinzendorf  will  shine 
bright  in  Glory.  I  have  not  given  way  to  the  Mo- 
ravian Brethren,  nor  any  other  who  I  thought  were 


224  TlIK    MoKA\  1AXS    1 N    CiKoUGIA. 

in  the  wrong,  no,  not  for  one  hour.  But  1  think  it 
best  not  to  dispute  when  there  is  no  probability  of 
convincing.'' 

Jlagen  remained  in  Savannah  until  February, 
1742,  when  he  went  to  Bethlehem,  accompanied  by 
.Abraham  Buninger,  of  Purisburg,  who  entered  the 
Moravian  ministry  in  1742,  and  labored  among  the 
Indians,  the  white  settlers,  and  in  the  West  Indies. 

Xine  more  residents  of  Georgia  followed  the  Mo- 
ravians to  Bethlehem  in  1745,  John  Urownfield, 
James  Burnside  and  his  daughter  Rebecca,  Henry 
Ferdinand  Beck,  his  wife  Barbara,  their  daughter 
Maria  Christina,  and  their  sons  Jonathan  and  David, 
all  of  Savannah,  and  Anna  Catharine  Kremper,  of 
Purisburg.  All  of  these  served  faithfully  in  various 
important  offices,  and  were  valuable  fruit  of  the 
efforts  in  Georgia. 

John  Ilagen  was  appointed  Warden  of  the  Xa/a- 
reth  congregation,  when  it  was  organized:  and  died 
at  Shaniokin  in  1747. 

1746. 

General  Oglethorpe  was  much  impressed  by  the 
industry  of  the  Moravians  in  Savannah,  and  was 
sorry  to  see  them  leave  the  Province,  hi  October. 
1740,  therefore,  lie  proposed  to  Count  Zinzcndorf 
that  a  new  attempt  should  be  made  further  up  the 
Savannah  River.  He  offered  to  give  them  live  hun- 
dred and  t \\enty-six  acre's  near  Purisburg.  and  to 
arrange  lor  two  men  to  be  stationed  in  Augusta, 
either  as  licensed  Traders,  for  manv  Indians  came 
there,  or  as  Schoolmasters. 

Zinzendorf  thought  well  of  the  plan,  and  accepted 


CONCLUSION.  225 

the  tract,  which  Oglethorpe  deeded  to  him  Xov.  ist, 
1746,  the  land  lying'  on  the  Carolina  side  of  the  Sa- 
vannah River,  adjoining  the  township  of  Purisburg, 
where  Bohler  and  Schulius  had  made  many  friends. 
Xo  colonists,  however,  were  sent  over,  and  the 
title  to  the  land  lapsed  for  lack  of  occupancy,  as 
that  to  Old  Fort,  on  the  Ogeechee,  had  already  done. 

1/74- 

Early  in  17/4  Mr.  Knox,  Under-Secretary  of 
State  in  London,  asked  for  missionaries  to  preach 
the  Gospel  to  the  slaves  on  his  plantation  in  Geor- 
gia. He  offered  a  small  piece  of  land,  whereon  they 
might  live  independently,  and  promised  ample  store 
of  provisions. 

This  time  the  plan  was  carried  into  execution,  and 
Ludwig  Miiller,  formerly  teacher  in  the  Pedago- 
gium  at  Xiesky,  with  John  George  Wagner  as  his 
companion,  went  to  England,  and  sailed  from  there 
to  Georgia.  They  settled  on  Mr.  Knox's  plantation, 
and  at  once  began  to  visit  and  instruct  the  slaves, 
and  preach  to  the  whites  living'  in  the  neighborhood. 
"Knoxborough"  lay  on  a  creek  about  sixteen  miles 
from  Savannah,  midway  between  that  town  and 
Ebenezer.  The  land  had  been  settled  by  Germans. 
Salzburgers  and  "Wittenbergers,  and  Mr.  Knox  had 
bought  up  their  fifty  acre  tracts,  combining-  them 
into  a  large  rice  plantation.  The  homes  of  the  Ger- 
mans had  been  allowed  to  fall  into  ruin,  the  over- 
seer occupying  a  three-roomed  house,  with  an  out- 
side kitchen.  Miiller  was  given  a  room  in  the  over- 
seer's house,  preaching  there  to  the  white  neigh- 
bors who  chose  to  hear  him,  and  to  the  negroes  in 


226  Tin-;  •MORAVIANS  IN  GEORGIA. 

the  large  shed  that  sheltered  the  stamping  mill. 
Wagner  occupied  a  room  cut  off  from  the  kitchen. 

In  February,  17/5,  Frederick  William  [Marshall, 
Agent  of  the  Unitas  Fratrum  on  the  Wachovia 
Tract  in  North  Carolina,  (with  headquarters  at 
Salem)  visited  Georgia  to  inspect  the  Moravian 
property  there,  accompanied  by  Andrew  Brosing, 
who  joined  Miiller  and  Wagner  in  their  missionary 
work.  It  had  been  suggested  that  the  Moravians 
preach  in  a  church  at  a  little  place  called  Goshen, 
near  "Knoxborough,"  a  church  which  had  been 
built  by  subscriptions  of  Germans  and  English  liv- 
ing in  the  neighborhood,  and  had  been  used  occa- 
sionally by  a  preacher  from  Ebenczcr. 

At  this  time  the  Salzburgers  were  in  a  very  bad 
condition.  Bolxius  had  died  in  1765,  and  Rabcn- 
horst  and  Triebner,  who  shared  the  pastorate,  were 
greatly  at  variance,  so  that  the  entire  settlement  was 
split  into  factions.  Dr.  Muhlcnbcrg,  "the  father  of 
L/utheranism  in  Pennsylvania,"  had  come  to  settle 
the  difficulties,  and  heard  with  much  displeasure  of 
the  plan  to  have  the  [Moravians  preach  at  Goshen. 
He  declared, — "I  doubt  not,  according  to  their 
known  method  of  insinuation,  they  will  gain  the 
most,  if  not  all  the  remaining  families  in  Goshen, 
and  will  also  make  an  attempt  on  Fbenexer,  for  their 
ways  arc  well  adapted  to  awakened  souls.  I  have 
learned  bv  experience  that  where  strife  and  disunion 
have  occunvd  in  neighborhoods  and  congregations 
among  the  Germans  in  America,  there  black  and 
white  apostles  have  immediately  appeared,  and  tried 
to  fish  in  the  troubled  waters,  like  eagles  which  have 
a  keen  sip'ht  and  smell." 


CONCLUSION.  227 

Dr.  Miihlenberg  was  too  much  prejudiced  against 
the  Moravians  to  judge  them  fairly,  for  he  belonged 
to  the  Halle  party  in  Germany,  and  in  Pennsylvania 
had  clashed  with  Zinzendorf  during  the  latter's  resi- 
dence there.  The  Lutheran  Church  was  in  no  way 
endangered  by  the  preaching  of  the  missionaries,  for 
their  instructions  were  explicit:  "If  you  have  an 
opportunity  to  preach  the  Gospel  to  German  or  Eng- 
lish residents  use  it  gladly,  but  receive  none  into 
your  congregation,  for  you  are  sent  expressly  to  the 
negroes.''  ''You  will  probably  find  some  of  the  so- 
called  Salzburgers  there,  with  their  ministers.  With 
them  you  will  in  all  fairness  do  only  that  to  which 
you  are  invited  by  their  pastor.  You  will  do  noth- 
ing in  their  congregation  that  you  would  not  like  to 
have  another  do  in  yours."  Dr.  Miihlenberg,  there- 
fore, might  safely  have  left  them  free  to  preach  the 
Gospel  where  they  would,  even  to  his  own  distracted 
flock,  which  was  weakened  by  dissensions,  suffered 
severely  in  the  Revolutionary  War,  and  gradually 
scattered  into  the  adjoining  country. 

In  accordance  with  his  instructions,  Muller  it 
once  gave  up  all  idea  of  using  the  Goshen  church, 
and  occupied  himself  with  those  who  heard  him 
gladly  at  Knoxborough.  After  a  careful  examina- 
tion of  the  land,  the  Moravians  decided  not  to  build 
a  house  for  themselves,  but  to  continue  with  the 
overseer,  who  was  kind  to  them,  and  gave  Muller 
the  use  of  a  horse  for  his  visits  to  adjoining  planta- 
tions. 

James  Habersham,  who  had  come  over  with 
George  Whitefield  in  1/38,  was  one  of  the  most 
prominent  men  in  Savannah  at  this  time.  In  1744 


_'jS  TlIK   MORAVIANS   IN    GlvORGlA. 

lie  had  established  a  commercial  house  in  Georgia, 
the  first  of  its  kind,  to  ship  lumber,  hogs,  skins, 
etc..  to  Kngland,  and  this  business  had  been  a  suc- 
cess, i  le  had  taken  a  great  interest  in  \\  hitcficld's 
(  M  phan  House,  and  had  been  active  in  governmental 
affairs,  having  served  as  Secretary  of  the  Province. 
1 'resident  of  the  Council,  and  Acting  Governor  of 
Georgia.  For  many  years  he  had  been  the  Agent 
in  charge  of  the  Moravian  lots  in  and  near  Savan- 
nah, and  now.  in  failing  health,  and  a  sufferer  from 
gout,  he  asked  that  one  of  the  missionaries  might 
be  sent  to  his  three  estates  on  the  ( )geechee  River, 
partly  as  his  representative  and  partlv  to  instruct 
ihe  slaves.  It  was  decided  that  "\\  agner  should  ac- 
cept this  invitation  and  go  to  "Silkhope,"  while 
Miiller  and  llro'sing  remained  at  Knoxborough, 
M  filler  preaching  at  "Silkhope"  every  two  weeks. 

Marshall  was  much  pleased  with  the  reception  ac- 
corded him  and  the  missionaries,  and  hoped  the 
time  was  coining'  for  again  using  the  lots  in  Savan- 
nah, but  the  hope  again  proved  to  be  fallacious.  The 
m;ss:onaries  all  suffered  givallv  from  fever,  alwavs 
prevalent  on  the  rice  plantations  in  the  summer,  and 
on  Oct.  nth,  1/75,  Miiller  died.  The  outbreak  of 
the  Revolutionary  \Yar  made  \Vagncr's  and  liros- 
mg's  position  precarious,  for  tin-  Knglish  Act  ex- 
empting the  Moravians  from  militarv  service  was 
not  likelv  to  be  respected  bv  the  Americans,  and  in 
1770  Krosing  returned  to  \\ "achovia.  where  the  Mo- 
ravians had  settled  in  sufficient  numbers  to  hold 
their  o\vn,  though  amid  trials  manilold.  \\agner 
stayed  in  Georgia  until  177';.  and  then  he  too  left 
the  field,  and  returned  to  Kngland. 


1 


3  o 


CONCLUSION.  229 

THE  SAYAXXAII  LANDS. 

In  January,  1/35,  fifty  acres  of  Savannah  land  was 
granted  by  the  Trustees  of  Georgia  to  August  Gott- 
lieb Spangenberg,  \vlio  was  going  to  Georgia  as  the 
leader  of  the  first  company  of  Moravian  colonists. 
Spangenberg  had  the  habit  of  speaking  of  himself 
as  "Brother  Joseph"  in  his  diaries,  and  in  the  rec- 
ords he  sometimes  appears  as  Joseph  Spangenberg, 
sometimes  as  Joseph  Augustus  Gottlieb  Spangen- 
berg, and  sometimes  by  his  true  name  only.  Accord- 
ing to  custom,  the  fifty  acre  grant  embraced  three 
lots, — Town  Lot  Xo.  4,  Second  Tything,  Anson 
Y\  ard,  in  the  town  of  Savannah.  Farm  Lot  Xo.  2. 
Second  Tything,  Anson  Ward,  in  the  township  of 
Savannah,  and  Garden  Lot  Xo.  120,  East.  (Office  of 
the  Secretary  of  State  of  Georgia,  Book  D  of  Grants, 
Folio  208.) 

A  few  clays  later  a  similar  grant  was  made  to 
David  N-itschmann,  "Count  Zinzendorfs  Haus- 
meister,"  generally  known  as  the  Syndic  from  his 
office  in  later  years,  who  had  conducted  the  first 
company  from  Herrnhut  to  London.  This  grant 
consisted  of  Town  Lot  No.  3,  Second  Tything,  An- 
son Ward,  in  the  town  of  Savannah.  Farm  Lot  Xo. 
3,  Second  Tything,  Anson  Ward,  in  the  township 
of  Savannah,  and  Garden  Lot  X^o.  121  East.  (Office 
of  Secretary  of  State  of  Georgia.  Book  D  of  Grants, 
Folio  207.) 

"V\  hen  the  Moravians  left  Georgia  in  1/40,  these 
lots  were  placed  in  the  hands  of  an  Agent,  probably 
James  Habersham,  who  was  acting  as  Whitefield's 
assistant  in  his  hospital  and  charity  school,  the  Mo- 
ravian house  being  rented  for  the  former  purpose. 


230  TIIK  MORAVIANS  IN  GEORGIA. 

When  the  Trustees  of  Georgia  surrendered  their 
Charter  to  the  English  Cro\vn  in  1/54,  it  was  found 
that  no  formal  deeds  had  ever  been  made  for  many 
of  the  tracts  granted  by  the  Trustees,  and  it  was  de- 
creed that  any  who  could  legally  claim  land  under 
grant  from  the  Trustees  should  have  their  rights 
confirmed  by  royal  grant  upon  application  to  the 
Governor  and  Council  of  Georgia,  within  a  specified 
time,  the  land  otherwise  to  be  considered  forfeited. 
In  June,  1761,  Habersham  wrote  to  Bethlehem  that 
the  time  for  entering  claim  had  expired,  but  that  he 
had  asked  for  and  obtained  six  months  grace  for  the 
Moravians,  who  had  previously  sent  him  a  full 
power  of  attorney,  which  had  failed  to  reach  him. 

A  new  power  of  attorney  \vas  at  once  sent,  and 
on  September  /th,  1/62,  royal  patents  were  issued  to 
Nitschmann  and  Spangenberg,  for  the  Town  Lots 
and  Farm  Lots  above  mentioned.  (Register's  Office, 
Book  D,  Folios  207  and  208.) 

Meanwhile  the  two  Garden  Lots  had  been  sold  to 
Sir  James  AYright  for  £10,  and  deeds,  bearing  date 
of  March  i5th,  1762,  were  made  to  him  by  Spangen- 
berg and  Xitschmann.  The  deeds  to  the  Town  and 
Farm  lots  were  deposited  in  Bethlehem,  and  the 
Agent  took  his  instructions  from  the  Manager  there. 

In  i/C>5  Bishop  Kttwein  went  from  Bethlehem  to 
Savannah  to  look  after  the  property.  He  found  that 
the  large  house  on  Spangcnberg's  lot  had  been  con- 
demned as  ruinous  and  pulled  down.  Some  one  had 
built  a  small  house  on  the  other  end  of  the  same  lot, 
and  it  was  supposed  to  pay  £4  a  year  ground  rent, 
but  the  family  living  there  was  very  poor,  and  Ha- 
bcrsham  had  been  unable  to  collect  anvthing.  Bv 


JAMES  IIAMEKSIIAM. 


CONCLUSION.  231 

permission  a  poor  woman  had  fenced  in  the  Nitsch- 
mann  lot,  and  was  using  it  as  a  kitchen-garden,  rent 
free.  The  title  to  the  farm  lots  was  in  jeopardy, 
for  a  certain  Alderman  Becker  in  London  claimed 
that  the  Trustees  had  given  him  a  tract,  including 
these  and  many  other  farms,  but  the  settlers  thereon 
were  making  a  strong  fight  to  hold  their  property, 
in  which  they  were  finally  successful. 

At  the  time  of  Frederick  William  Marshall's  visit 
to  Savannah  in  1/75,  the  two  farm  lots  were  re- 
ported to  have  some  good  timber,  even  if  they  were 
not  of  much  use  otherwise,  and  the  town  lots  had  in- 
creased in  value  with  the  growth  of  the  town. 
Marshall  thought  the  latter  could  again  be  used  for 
residence,  and  as  a  centre  for  such  missionary  work 
as  was  already  begun  by  Mtiller,  Wagner  and  Bros- 
ing,  but  the  Revolutionary  War  put  an  end  to  their 
efforts. 

At  this  point  in  the  records  appears  a  peculiar  un- 
certainty as  to  the  identity  of  the  owner  of  the 
David  Nitschmann  lots.  The  fact  that  there  \vere 
three  David  Nitschmanns  in  the  active  service  of 
the  Moravian  Church  during  a  number  of  years 
after  its  renewal  in  Herrnhut  affords  ample  oppor- 
tunity for  confusion,  but  one  would  not  expect  to 
find  it  in  the  minds  of  their  contemporaries.  But 
even  such  a  man  as  Frederick  William  Marshall 
wrote,  "The  Deeds  to  these  two  lots,  Nos.  3  and  4, 
are  kept  in  Bethlehem  (one  stands  in  the  name  of 
Brother  Joseph,  the  other  of  Bishop  D'd  Xitsch- 
mann,  who  passed  away  in  Bethlehem)  and  it  would 
be  well  if  something  were  done  about  them.  I  do 
not  know  what  can  be  arranged  with  the  son  of  the 


-5- 

btter:  but  Brother  David  Xitschmann.  who  is  now 
in  Zeist,  said  when  he  was  in  America  that  he  him- 
self was  the  David  Xitschmann  in  whose  name  the 
grant  was  made,  because  he  was  the  one  who  had 
shared  in  the  negotiations  with  the  Trustees  of 
Georgia."  Bishop  David  Xitschmann  had  died  in 
Bethlehem.  Oct.  i;ih.  177--  where  his  son  Immanuel 
lived  until  1700.  The  David  Xitschmann  residing 
in  Zeist  was  the  Svndic.  formerlv  Count  Zin/en- 
dorf's  ]  lausmeistcr.  the  leader  of  the  first  company 
to  London,  where  he  and  Spangenberg  had  arranged 
matters  with  the  Trustees,  and  had  each  received 
titty  acres  of  land  in  his  own  name.  The  Bishop 
had  had  nothing  whatever  to  do  with  the  matter, 
and  this  was  the  conclusion  reached,  for  the  title  to 
the  Town  Lot  Xo.  3  passed  at  the  Syndic's  death, 
March  j8th,  1779,  to  his  son  Christian  David 
X  itschniann. 

June  I4th,  17^4,  August  Gottlieb  Spangenberg 
and  Christian  David  Xitschmann  bv  deed  transler- 
red  tlu-ir  title  to  the  Savannah  property  to  Hans 
Christian  Alexander  von  Schwcinitz.  Administrator 
r>!  the  estate  of  the  I  nitas  l-'ratrum  in  Pennsylvania. 

The  Revolutionary  \Yar  had  come  and  gone,  and 
\  on  Schwciuitz  began  again  to  investigate  the  con- 
dition of  ai'fairs  in  Savannah.  Their  Agent.  James 
llabersham.  had  died  in  1775,  but  his  son  James 
had  kept  up  the  taxes,  so  the  title  was  intact.  "But 
there  is  a  matte)-."  he  wrote,  "which  it  is  necessary 
yon  should  be  made  acquainted  with.  \Vhen  the 
British  Troops  took  possession  of  Savannah,  they 
had  occasion  for  a  lot  belonging  to  a  Mr.  George 
Kellar,  for  the  purpose  of  erecting  a  fort  on,  it  be- 


CONCLUSION.  233 

ing-  situated  in  the  outskirts  of  the  town,  and  in 
order  to  satisfy  this  man  they  very  generously  gave 
him  your  two  lots  in  lieu  of  the  one  they  had  taken 
from  him.  but  very  fortunately  for  you,  our  Legis- 
lature passed  a  Law  rendering  null  and  void  all 
their  acts  during  the  time  they  held  this  country, 
and  notwithstanding  Mr.  Kellar  is  perfectly  well 
acquainted  with  this  matter,  he  has  moved  a  house 
on  one  of  the  lots,  and  on  the  other  he  has  lately 
built  another  house,  which  he  rents  out.  and  holds 
possession — in  defiance  of  me,  as  I  am  possessed  of 
no  power  of  attorney  to  warrant  any  proceeding 
against  him."  A  power  of  attorney  was  at  once  sent 
Habersham,  with  instructions  to  evict  the  intruder, 
and  rent,  lease  or  sell  the  property. 

A  suit  against  the  trespasser  was  won  in  1794, 
but  in  1801  his  tenant  was  still  in  possession,  poor, 
and  refusing  to  pay  rent.  Habersham  had  meanwhile 
died,  and  John  Gebhard  Cunow,  acting  as  attorney 
for  \  on  Scluveinitz,  who  had  returned  to  Germany 
in  1798.  requested  Matthew  McAllister  to  take 
charge  of  the  matter;  but  McAllister,  having  made 
some  inquiries,  reported  that  the  man  named  John 
Robinson,  \vho  lived  on  the  premises,  was  likely  to 
make  trouble,  and  that  as  he  himself  was  the  only 
Judge  in  the  district  it  would  be  better  to  put  the 
case  into  the  hands  of  some  one  else,  and  leave  him 
free  to  hear  it.  Cunow  therefore  asked  George 
AYoodruff  to  act  as  attorney,  to  which  he  agreed,  re- 
questing that  John  Lawson  be  associated  with  him, 
which  was  done  the  following  year. 

Hans   Chnsii:i:i    Alexander   von    Schweinitz   died 
Feb.  26th.  1802,  the  title  to  the  Savannah  Lots  pass- 


234  Tine  MORAVIANS  IN  CKORGIA. 

ing  by  will  to  Christian  Lewis  Benzicn,  of  Salcin, 
North  Carolina,  who  however  requested  Cunow  to 
continue  to  look  after  them. 

The  Agents  had  no  light  task  in  ejecting  John 
Robinson  and  his  wife  from  their  abode,  for  he  was 
"a  foolish,  drunken  man,"  and  she  "a  perfect  virago, 
and  the  Sheriff  is  really  afraid  of  her,"  but  on  July 
5th,  1805,  Lawson  wrote  to  Cunow,- — "I  am  happy 
to  inform  you  that  after  great  trouble  and  difficulty 
we  have  this  day  obtained  possession  of  Mr.  Ben- 
zien's  lots.'' 

Feb.  1 7th,  1807,  Christian  Lewis  Bcnzicn.  by  his 
attorneys  Woodruff  and  Lawson,  conveyed  Town 
Lot  No.  4,  Second  Tything,  Anson  Ward,  to 
Charles  Odingscll,  the  consideration  being  $1,500, 
one  hundred  dollars  in  cash,  the  rest  secured  bv  bond 
and  mortgage,  payable  in  one,  two,  and  three  years, 
with  8  per  cent  interest  from  date. 

In  the  same  manner  Town  Lot  No.  3  was  sold  to 
Worthington  dale,  March  i4th,  1807,  for  $1,450. 

Owing  to  "the  distress  of  the  times,"  payment  of 
these  bonds  was  slightly  delayed,  but  by  June,  1811, 
both  were  cancelled. 

Although  the  two  Town  Lots  thus  brought 
$2,950,  thev  had  cost  a  good  deal  in  taxes  and  at- 
torney's fees,  and  it  is  doubt  fid  whether  the  general 
treasurv  profiled  great Iv  bv  the  investment,  and  cer- 
tainly the  men  who  had  lived  and  labored  and  suf- 
fered in  deorgia  were  in  no  financial  way  enriched 
thereby. 

Christian  Lewis  Bcnzicn  died  Nov.  13th,  1811, 
and  the  two  Farm  Lots  were  transferred  bv  will  to 
John  debhard  Cunow  of  Bethlehem,  Pa.,  who  in 


CONCLUSION.  235 

March,    1822,    deeded    them    to    Lewis    David    de 
Schweinitz  of  Bethlehem,  Pa. 

And  here  the  two  Farm  Lots  disappear  from 
the  records.  They  had  never  hoen  available  for 
farming  purposes,  and  by  degrees  the  timber  was 
stolen  from  them,  so  that  it  became  wiser  to  let  them 
go  than  to  keep  up  the  taxes  with  no  prospect  of  re- 
turn. In  course  of  time  the  title  lapsed,  and  the 
land  passed  uncontcsted  into  other  hands. 


236  TliK    MORAVIANS    IX    GEORGIA. 


ARRIVALS  IN  GEORGIA. 


237 


^     ^         r">  1*5  ^  13  M 


16 


0;          +> 


238  THE  MORAVIANS  IN  GEORGIA. 


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DEPARTURES  FROM  GEORGIA. 


239 


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Michael  Ilaberland  .  .  . 
Peter  Bohler  
Anton  Seifert  
John  Martin  Mack  .... 
David  Zeisberger  
Rosina  Zeisberger  .... 

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240 


THE  MORAVIANS  IN  GEORGIA. 


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DEATHS. 


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242  Tine  ^MORAVIANS  IN  (iKokciA. 


SUMMARY. 


Arrivals. 

From  Europe   43 

Pennsylvania    1 

Born  in  ( ioorgia    1 

From  North  Carolina    1 

47 
Deaths. 

At  Savannah     8 

At  Furisburg    1 

At  Knoxborough    1 

-  10 
Departures. 

To  Bethlehem.  Pa 18 

To  other  Moravian  Congregations  in  America....  3 

To  Moravian   Congregations   in   Europe 8 

Scattered     8 

—         O  I 

-  47 
Following  the  Moravians  from  Georgia  to  Bethlehem.  .  .    13 


INDEX. 


Act  of  Parliament   1ST,  199,  228 

Aeltester    133,  138,  154,  175,  185 

Allen,  Brierly    18(5 

Altamaha  River    121,  123,  127,  128,  129,  130,  102 

Anna    150 

Anthony    37 

Altona     42,  91,     92 

Arrivals  in  Georgia  230.  237,  238,  242 

Associates  of  the  late  Dr.  Bray 202,  203.  204.  211,  213 

Augsburg    ." 19,     20 

Augusta     224 

B. 

Bader,  Paul  Peter    214 

Bands     103.  129,  177,   190,  200,  213 

Beck,  Barbara   224 

Beck,  David    224 

Beck,  Henry  Ferdinand 224 

Beck.  Jonathan    224 

Beck,  Maria  Christina    224 

Benzien,  Christian  Lewis    234 

Berthelsdorf     20,  140 

Bethlehem 130.  184,  188,  201,  214-217,  223.  224, 

23d.  231.  235 

Bohemia     21.  23,  29.  41,  45.  40,  48,     92 

Bohler,  Peter    189-192,  194.  199,  202-213,  215.  217, 

219,  220,  223,  220 

Bohner,    John    92,  107,  150,  150,  185,  2(>s'.  210,  217 

Bohnisch.  Georire    34,  141 

Bohnisch,  Matthias    92,   157 

Bolzius,   Martin    20.  44,  40,  82.   178,  220 

Bray,  Thomas    203 

Brosing,  Andrew    220.  228.  231 

Brother    Joseph    42.  229.  231 

Brownfield,  John    222.  224 

Biininger,  Abraham    224 

Burnside,  James   224 

Burnsidc.  Eebecca    224 

C. 

Calendar    100 

Calvin,  John    21 

Carolina    .  .    14,  72.  79.  141,  101.  102,  103,  183.  203.  210.  213 
Causton.  Thomas    .  .   GO,  OS,  84,  103,  104,  107.  108,  182.  185 


INDKX. 


PAGE. 

Charles   Jl 13 

Charles    V 19 

Charleston     20.   14(1.    141.    147,    1(13,    ]S(i.    I.V.).  210,  213 

Cherokees .' 149,  221 

(  hief   Elder    Sec   Aelt ester. 

Christ   Church    143 

Church    of   England 53,  99.   132,   140.   144.   14."),   !<)], 

197,  20G 

Collegia  iits    3"),  3(i 

Comen  his.  John  Amos 21 

Comfort    15ti 

Committee  for  relief  of  Debtors 13,  14 

Confession   of   Faith.  ^Moravian 27 

Corani,  Thomas    3f>.  47 

Cornish,  Capt 97,   101,  114 

Creek  Confederacy    148 

Cunoxv.   .lolui   (iebhard 233.  234 

I). 

Death>     241.  242 

Delumotte,    Charles    99.    Kll.    104.   1(1.").    109.    131, 

144.    IdS.    lS(i.  202 

Demutli.    (Jotthard    48.  (i!).   79,  83,   129.  188 

Deimith.  (lottlieb    92,   l.")ii.  18S 

Deiniith.    Ue^ina    92,   112.    184.  188 

Departures    from    Ceorida 238.  239.   240.  242 

Diencr 129.    139.    174.    17-1.  18:"> 

Dober.    John    Andrew 92.   99.    KM.    103.    Kid.    108, 

129.    131,   1.1.1,    If)!),  181 

Dober.    Leonard     90 

Dober.    .Maria    Catherine 92.    103.    Mti.  1.19 

Dunbar,    Capt 140 

Dii^eldorf  20 


Kbene/.er.    \e\v     127.    17*.   202.   22.1.  22(i 

Ebene/er,   Old    20.  44,  7.1.  ss.  li'.l 

Ebersdorf     ;10 

l'"cce    Homo    2(! 

l-'ccle-iolao    in    ccclesia 24 

Kckslein,  John    170.  181 

Eiredc.    I  Ian-    37 

KMora     138 

I'lnj^land Sec   '.Moravian   .\i-ii\ity   in    England. 

l-'.n^li-h    School   at    Ilerrnhiil 9.1 

Kphraia      _ 184 

Epi-cnpaie  of  Unitas    l-'rat  rum  .  .  .  .    22.  9o.   91.    107.    133. 

134.    140.    N.I.    IdO.  218 


INDEX.  245 


PAGE. 

Kniialmer    129 

Ettwein,  John   230 

Exile  Hymn   49 


Farm  Lots    10,  52,  77,  78,  79,   180,  229-232,  234,  235 

Fetter   Lane   Congregation 199,  200 

Fetter  Lane   Society 191,  194,   195,   190,  199,  205 

Fifty  Acre  Tracts. 51.  52,  78,  120,  229 

Financial    affairs    30-34,  38,  43,  44,  45,  50,  51,  53, 

71.  72,  78,  84.  89.  95.  90,  1U7,  109,  129.  135, 
13U,  137,  155,  105,  108,  173,  180,  181.  182, 
184,  189,  190,  -210,  230.  234. 

First   Company    47-50,  07,  70,  139,  229 

Five   Acre  Lots see  Garden  Lots. 

Five  Hundred  Acre  Tract see  Old  Fort. 

Five  Hundred  Acre  Tract   (2nd) 94,  12G 

Five  Hundred  and  Twenty-six  Acre  Tract 224 

Florida     ' 102 

Foreign  Missions    37,  38,  43,   100,  221 

Fort  Argyle    72 — 70 

Forty-five  Acre  Lots see  Farm  Lots. 

Foundry   Society    190 

Frank  ,'jacob 92,  138,  179 

Fredcrica     127,   128,   130.   143,   144,   145,   147,  158,  201 

Fulneck  .    198 


dale,  Worthington    234 

Gambold.   John    200 

Garden  Lots 10,  52.  08.  09.  77.  78.  79,  122,  ISO. 

229,  230 

Case-nine,  Capt 107 

Gemeinschaft    135.   130.   155.   158.   173.  174.  177,  179 

George    II . '. 14 

Georgia 13-18.  20.  29.  30,  33.  35.  30.  38.  43,  44,  08, 

77.  S3.  95,  90,   127.   128.   102.   103.   100.   182.  210.  215, 

227.  230. 

Gennantown    170,  1S4,  188 

Gladman,  Capt.  Thomas    210 

Goshen     220,  227 

Goshenhopper     188 

Greenland     37 

Gronav,  Israel   Christian 20,  82,  178 

H. 

Habereoht,    Gottfried     48.  09.   79.  S3.   129,  170.  184 

Haberecht,   Rosina    92,  157 

Haberland,    George     48,  09.  79.   15S,  185 


INDEX. 


PAGE. 

Haberlaml,    Michael    48,  73,  79,   185,  208,  215 

Habersluim,  James,  Jr 232,  233 

Haberslmm,  James,  Sr 202,  210,  227,  229,  230,  232 

ilagcu,  John    221-224 

Halle   20,  25,  39-43,  71,  193,   li)4,  227 

Harper,    Simon   Peter 202,  20ti,  211 

Ha\vk,   The    10U,  107,   10'J,   110 

Heller    see   Helpers. 

Helpers     138,   139 

Herbert,   Henry    143 

Hermsdoii,   Christian   Adolph    von 91,  94,   10(i,   121, 

123,   128,   133,   158,  173 
Hcrrnhut 23,  25-29,  37,  39,  42,  43,  45.  58,  71,  90, 

92,  95,   105,   120,    135,   150,   105.   170,   188,   192,   193, 

194,  200,  201. 

Holland see   Moravian   Activity   in   Holland. 

Hourly   Intercession    58,     07 

Household   All'airs    ......    09,  83-80.   131,   132,   135,   130, 

155,  150,  158,  172,   173,  174,  179.  201.  210 

Huber,    John   Michael 214 

Hummel.  Johanna    217 

Ilns,  .John    21,  201 

Hutton,    James    99.   193,    195,   198,  203 

1. 

Indian  School  House   see  Irene. 

Indians    in    Georgia 15,  32,  45,  40.  07,  08.   70-75, 

80,  94,  99.  112.  124,  120^  127,  131,  137, 
141?  144,  147-155,  101.  102,  181.  185,  180, 
187.  198,  213. 

Indians    in   Pa 217,  21s 

Jn-'hain,  Benjamin 99,   101.  104,  105,  109.   110,   112, 

121,  128,  134,  143-140,  149.  15(1,  152,  153, 
154,  104,  108,  10!),  181,  190-193.  190-199. 

ln>t  ructions     ' 70 

Ireland see  Moravian  Activity  in  Ireland. 

Irene     154.    155.   214.  221 

J. 

ablonski     90,  91,  1(50 

ag,    ])avid    92,   150,   170.    177,   184,  188 

antes     217 

iischke,   Juliana    92.    157,    174,  170 

ena 25.  41.    193.  203,  208 

e\vs     82 

olmson     73 — 70 

ouriial.   John   Wesley's..  99.   101-121.  192 


INDEX.  247 

K.  PAGE. 

Kellar,  George    232,  233 

Knox,  Mr 225 

Kiioxborough     225-228 

Koker,  riclcr    35,  192 

Korte,   Jonas 90,   92,   93,   90,  98,  125 

Krankenwiirter    129 

Kremper,  Anna  Catherine 224 

L. 

Laborers    200 

Lamb's  Hill    198 

Lancashire    197 

Land  titles    95,  120,  101,  225,  229-235 

Lawson,  John    233,  234 

Leopold,  Archbishop  of    Salzburg 18 

London     43,  47,  50,  54,  55,  93,  159 

London  Merchant,  The   105,  109,  117,  118,  127 

Lords  Proprietors    14,  101 

Lorenz    33,  34 

Lot,  The    139,  149,  150,  158,  105,   1(50,   107,   172, 

175,  189,  210,  213 

Lovefcasts     130,  139,  181,  190 

Lower  Creeks    18.   149,  152 

Lutheran  Church    19,  23,  25,  28,   140,  220,  227 

Luther,  Martin    19,  21,  28 

M. 

Mack,  John  Martin    92,  113,  215,  217 

Marienborn     • 192,   193,  220 

Marshall,   Frederick   William 220,  228,  231 

Matrimonial  afl'airs    150,   158,  174,   170 

McAllister,  Matthew    233 

Melancthoir     19 

Methodists     99,   180,  191,  194,  190 

Meyer,  John  Michael 92,  184 

Military   affairs    33,  87.  88,  93,  94,  120.  141,  101, 

103-107,  172,  181,  182,  183,  ISO,  199,  215,  228 

Moberley,  Capt 200,  207 

Molther,  Philip  Henry    195 

Moravia 21,   22,   29,  45,  40,  48,  90,  92,  100 

Moravian  Activity  in  England 41,  49,  50.  97,   100- 

163,  190,  194-200,  202,  205,  217,  220 

Moravian  Activity  in  Holland 35,  42,  93,  192,  217 

Moravian  Activity   in  Ireland 199.  200.  217 

Moravian  Congregation  in  Fetter  Lane see  Fetter 

Lane  Society. 

Miihlenberg,   Henry   Melchior 220,  227 

Miiller,   Liidwig    .  , 225-228,  231 


248  INDEX. 


PAG!:. 

M  usgrove,   John    OS 

Musgrove,  Mary   08,  131,  149 

Music     214,  210 

N. 

Xazareth    210,  217,  223,  224 

Negro    Mission    201,  202,  204,  209-213,  225,  227,  228 

Xeisser,  Augustin    92,  188 

Xeisser,    George    (J2,   107,  150,  108,  109 

Xeisser,   Wenzel    203,  204,  200 

Xeubert,  Ivosina    9] 

New  Ebenezer   see  Ebenezcr,  Xe\v. 

Xe\v   Inverness    127 

Xitsrhniann,  Christian  David    232 

Xitscliinann.   David    (l?i>hop) 88,  !)(),   91,  93-99, 

101,  103,  108,  111,  120,  122,  123, 
129-134,    139,    141,    158,    159,   100, 

184,  204,  217,  223,  231,  232. 
Xitschmann,    David    (Haiisnipi>ter,    S  vndir)  ....    39.  48, 

49,  52,  53,  58,  01,'  08.  78,  88,  89,  90,  94, 
120,  183,  229-232. 

Nitschnmnn,  Immamiel    232 

Xorth    Carolina 14 

Xova    Scotia     47 

X. 

Ober-Berthelsdorf     28,  29,     34 

Odingsell,    Charles    234 

Oeconomie    130 

Ogcorhee   Jliver    72.   73,  74,   70.  225,  228 

Oglethorpe,    James     13.   14,   17,  20.  45,  47,  50.  51, 

53,  54.  58,  72.  87,  88,  93,  94,  95.  97,  98, 
99,  102,  104.  107-113.  118,  120-123,  125, 
128,  129,  130.  135.  139.  143.  145,  147,  149, 
152,  155.  159.  102-105.  107,  173,  188,  199, 
204-207,  210-213.  215.  210,  224.  225. 

Old    Fort    39,  42,  47,  51.  70.  72,  73.  75.  70.  79,  94, 

120.    100,   101.   104,  225 

Ordr-r  of  1ho  Mu>tard  Seed 100 

Orphan    House    202,   228 

( >xiord     99.  205,  208 

P. 

Peeper  Island    (Cockspur)  .  , 120 

Pennsvlvania      35.   30.   91,   140.    141.    142.    108.   173, 

183,    184,   187,    195,   -200 .  201.   214.   210,   218.   223, 

227,  232. 
Pcriamia  125.   127 


INDEX.  249 


1'AGE. 

Pfeil,  von   20,  33,  34,  38 

Pietists    25 

Pilgrim  Congregation   200,  216 

Poland 21,  •>•>,  90 

Port  Royal   140 

Potter,  John,   (Archbishop  of  Canterbury) 100,  203 

Province  of  Georgia see  Georgia. 

Piulsey 198 

Purisburg     52,  208-213,  217,  222,  224,  220 

Puttcn,   Cornelius    van 35 


Quincy,   Samuel    131,   143 

R. 

Ratio    Disciplinae    22,     23 

Reck,  George  Philipp  Frederick  von,  20,  39,  41,  97.   100, 

107,   117,  125,   139 

Reck,  the  younger   1 25 

Regensberg    20,     34 

Regnier,  John 80,  81,  82,   120.   129.   137,   150,   189, 

208,  214 
Religious  affairs...    32,  33,  0!),  70.  71.  101-108.  110,   112. 

124.  127.  120,  130,  132-1 35.  138.  140,  155.    150. 

101,  107.  174.  175.  179.  185.  187.  199,  213,  215. 

218,  222,  223. 

Reuss,  Henry    XXIX 50 

Revolutionary  War   227.  228.  231.  232.  233 

Rieiiter,   Abraham    Ehrenfricd 190,  203,  204 

Riedel,   Catherine    92.  122,   158 

Riedel,  Friedrich    48,  55.  73.   79,  80.   121).   122.   158 

Robinson.  John    233.  234 

Roman    Catholics    15.  21.   107,   132.  207.  210 

Roscher.  Henry    02.   113.   150.   157 

Rose.  Anna  Catherina    175 

Rose.    Catherine    (Riedel) 152-155,   158.   185.  20S.  214 

Rose.    Maria    Magdalena 175.   185.  208.  214 

Rose.   Peter....    48,  55,  09.   73.   74.   84.  80.   130.   152-155, 

158.   174.   179.   185.  208.  214 

Rothe,  John  Andrew 20.   140 

Rotterdam     20.   35.     42 

Rotten-possnm     70 

S. 

Salem     220.  234 

jrors     10.  18-21.  34.  39,  40,  41,  44.  40.  54. 

72.   82.   88.   94.   07.    105.    109,    117.    125.   127.    178. 
225.  220.  227. 


250  INDEX. 


PAGE. 

Savannah....    18,  20,  52,  GO,  12,  75,  80,  82,  87,  !)!>,  120, 

125,  1G3-1U7,  182,  180,  201,  200,  214,  222,  224 
Savannah     Congregation,    (Moravian)   ....    78,    122,   120, 

129-130,  139,  145,  140,  150,  151,  153, 
100,  101,  104-107,  172,  170,  177,  184, 
180,  187,  198,  201,  208,  213,  215,  210 

iSavannah  Cemetery    80,   122,   185,  214 

Savannah  River    17,  05,   119,   102,  224 

Savannah,   The    210 

Saxony    18,  22,  43,  45,  40 

Schober,  John  Michael   188,   181),  214 

Schoeneck     188 

Sdmlius,  George    190,  202-212,  214.  220 

Schwarz,  Rosina   91 

Schweinitz,  Hans  Christian  Alexander  von 232,  233 

Sch\\  einitz,  Lewis  David  de 235 

Sclnvenkfeld,   Casper    28 

Schwenkf elders     ...    28.  21),  33,  34,  35,  38,  48,   139,   141.  109 

Second   Company    70,  79,  84,  88-98.   101,  122,  125 

Seifert,  Anton.'  48,  59.  73,  130,  133,  134,  135,  138,  149, 

150,   154,   174,  175,   170,   185,  213,  217 

Seituah     73 

"Servants"  of  Zinzendorf 30,  31,  40,  51,  70.  79,  87, 

89,  94.   100,   104,  105 

Seybold,   Matthias    92.   103,   150,  201 

Shamokin    224 

Sickness     09,  79,  83,   138.   150,  157,   158,    185.  212. 

213,  214.  221.  228 

Silkhope     228 

Simmonds.   The    97,  98,   101 

Sitkovius    90,     91 

Skidaway  Island    73 

Smith  House    198 

"Society"    *<>p    CJomciiisrhtift. 

Societ  v    for  the    l'ro|  aurat  ion   of   Christian    Knowledge.. 

19,  44.  50,  54 

Somers,   Benjamin    217 

South    Carolina     14.  15,  53,  89,  220 

Spangenberg,  Angus*    (!o11lieb 35.  30.  41-43,  45, 

47,  48,  50-54,  58,  59,  (iO.  04, 
05,  00.  08-75.  77.  78,  81-88, 
94.  97.  120,  122-120.  128-131, 
130,  138-142,  108-173.  177- 
184,  190,  199.  203,  217.  229. 
230,  232. 

SpaiiLronberir's   TTvmn    01 

Spaniards    ' .' 70.   75,   148.   101,   102,   103.    100 

Spanish    War    154,   101-109.   172,  215 


INDEX.  251 


PAGE. 

Spener,  Philip  Jacob    24,     25 

Sterling's  BluiT    74 

St.   Simon's   Island 127,   128,  208,  211 

St.  Thomas    37,  90,   142,  200,  2115,  218 

Swiss  Emigrants    52,  04,  65,  209,  211 


Tanneberger,  David    92,  103,   1,5(5,   179,   184,   188 

Tanneberger,  John    92,  184 

Thomas,  Capt 105 

Thomson,    Capt 58,  59.  05,  88,   125 

Thunderbolt    73 

Toltschig,  John    48,  49,  59,  Go,  GO,  07,  70,  73,  78, 

80,  83,  90,  120,  122,  129,  133,  134.  144,  145, 
140.  149,  152,  153,  154,  158,  1G3,  164,  165,  167, 
171-177,  188,  189,  190,  192,  196.  197,  198,  200, 
201. 

Toltschig,    Judith     92,  102.   130.  154.   156.   158,   189,  215 

Tomochichi 17.   18,  68,  74.  86.   12(5.   127,   131,   148, 

150,   152-155'.  160.  181.   185,  214 

Town    Lots 10.  52.  67.  68.  09,  78.  79.   179,  183.  228-234 

Trades 48,  81.  84.  92.   130.  152,   155.   150,   180.  185.  217 

Triebner 220 

Trustees    for    Establishing    the    Colony    of    Georgia    in 

America 15.   10.  28,  29.  33.  34.  40.  47/50-54.    58, 

64.  78.  87.  89.  94.  95,  9(5.  147,  160.  103-169.  178, 
181-184.  186.  187.  190.  204,  230. 

Tiibino-en     25 

Two  Brothers.  The    58,     59 

Two  Hundred  Acre  Tract 51,  70,     79 

Tybee   88.  119.  123.  171,  189 

U. 

Union  Galley,  The    206 

Unitas  Fratrum    .  .  .    21-25,  28,  42.  48.  49,  90,  140,   146. 

150.  100,  197,  199.  200.  201.  203.  218,  220.   226 

Upper  Creeks    149 

Ulsperger,    Samuel    20.  40.  41.     54 


Vat,  Mr 41 

Verelst,   Secy    54,     93 

Yernon.   James    34,  54,     58 

Yollmar     97,  102,  139 

Yorsteher     129 

Vova«res 56-05.  93.  97-121.   159.   170.  171.  189,  207.  216 


252  INDEX. 

W.  I'AGE. 

Wachovia    Trad    220,  228 

\Va»-ner,   John    ( ieorge    225,  220,  228,  231 

\Vasohke,  Anna    92,   150,   180,  188 

\Vasclike,    (.u-orge     48,   79,    158.    174.    17ti,  J88 

\Vasrhke,  Juliana    Jiischke 174,   175,  188 

\Veintraube,  Mrs 92,  159 

Wesley,    Charles 98,  99,   10],    103,   105,   108,   111), 

130,    14:;,    145.   147,   1!)0,  205 

We-lev.    John    98,  95).    101,   108.    110,    113,    123,   124, 

120,    128,   130,    131,    134;    135,   143-147.   14!),  150, 

157,  Ili8,   173,   178,   185,    I8(ii   190-190,  200,  201, 
203,  205,  200,  223. 

\\Ysley,    Samuel    !>!) 

\\'esl   Indies 

\\'liit elk-Id,  (ioorge 11) 


\Vie»ner,    Christopher    ((ieor^ei 34.  141 

\Vittenber» 20,  2G 

\Voodrutr.  ( leorpfe    233 

\Vriyht,   Sir  James    23d 

\Vynantx     !»7.  203 

y. 

Yorkshire     !»'.».    l!)ti-l!)9.  208 

VsselMcin     188,  1!I2 


Xei>beriier.    David,  Jr 18S,    1S9,   211.   218.   21!) 

Zeisberger,  David,  Sr 92.  2os.  217 

Xei-beryer.    IJosina    92.    ]02,  217 

iu  \  on 125 

ica  von 50.  135.  159 

Mm 22-31.  33—10.  42. 

40,  51,  70.  71,  72.  78.  91.  94, 

97.    135,    138.    140.    150,    154. 

159.    100,    105.    181-184.    180. 

190.    15)2.    200,    202-205.    223. 

224.    227. 


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